Ian Huntley, the former school caretaker convicted of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, was left with a five per cent chance of survival after being attacked with a spiked metal pole in prison, according to reports.
The 52-year-old was assaulted in a workshop at HMP Frankland in County Durham at around 9am on Thursday. He suffered repeated blows to the head and was found lying in a pool of blood. An air ambulance was called, but he was taken to hospital by road.
A source told The Sun that it was "miraculous" Huntley remained alive, adding: "It is still touch and go, and he could get worse. But it is extraordinary that he is still alive." Durham Constabulary said he was in a serious condition with head injuries, and there was no change overnight.
Police confirmed a suspect, a male prisoner in his mid-40s, had been identified but not arrested, and remained in detention. Reports have named the suspect as Anthony Russell, 43, who is serving a whole-life term for the murders of Julie Williams, David Williams and Nicole McGregor.
Huntley has been attacked before: in 2010, armed robber Damien Fowkes slashed his throat, and in 2005, murderer Mark Hobson threw boiling water over him. He is serving life for the 2002 killings of the two 10-year-olds, whose bodies were found in a ditch after they disappeared during a family barbecue.
