The inmate suspected of brutally attacking double child killer Ian Huntley inside a high-security prison now faces the prospect of up to a decade in isolation. The assailant reportedly struck Huntley over the head with a metal bar, an assault so severe it was described as splitting his head in two and left him with just a five per cent chance of survival.
Critical Condition Following Workshop Attack
Ian Huntley, the convicted murderer of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, was attacked on Thursday morning within a workshop at Durham's HMP Frankland. The 52-year-old was left lying in a pool of his own blood after being struck around the head with the metal weapon. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, where medical staff gave him a mere five per cent probability of surviving the traumatic injuries.
Suspect Identified and Facing Severe Consequences
While police have not officially confirmed the identity, the suspected attacker is believed to be triple killer Anthony Russell. A prison source has indicated that due to the seriousness of the assault, the suspect will be moved to a segregation unit. The source elaborated that he will likely remain there for the foreseeable future, potentially for the next five to ten years, as such violent conduct cannot be tolerated within the prison system.
The source further stated, "It'll be business as usual in the prison, it'll be absolutely same as always, just there'll be one less prisoner to worry about. Because it's a serious assault, he'll be moved to the segregation unit. He’ll probably just be held there for the foreseeable, certainly, because you can't go around either trying to kill another prisoner or killing other prisoners."
Huntley's Troubled Incarceration History
Ian Huntley has been serving a life sentence since 2003 for the brutal killings of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. His time behind bars has been marked by significant turmoil:
- This is the third violent attack he has suffered while imprisoned.
- He has twice attempted to take his own life.
- He developed intense paranoia, fearing that his food was being poisoned by other inmates.
This paranoia reportedly led Huntley to avoid standard prison meals entirely. Instead, he relied on purchasing snack foods like cheesy Wotsits from the prison shop to ensure he knew exactly what he was consuming. This diet, along with other confectionery, caused his weight to increase substantially during his incarceration.
Ongoing Police Investigation and Condition Update
Durham Constabulary confirmed that Huntley continues to receive treatment in hospital. A police spokesperson stated, "He remains in hospital in a serious condition." The investigation into the precise circumstances of the assault is ongoing.
The attack underscores the volatile and dangerous environment within high-security prisons, even for inmates serving life sentences for the most heinous crimes. The segregation of the suspected attacker for a prolonged period highlights the severe institutional response to such intra-prison violence.
