Twisted child murderer Ian Huntley is facing a significant change in his incarceration circumstances if he manages to recover from the horrific head injuries he sustained during a brutal prison assault last week. The Soham killer, aged 52, remains in a serious condition at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, six days after being bludgeoned repeatedly around the head with a metal bar in a prison workshop.
Severe Injuries Prompt Hospital Transfer Plan
The injuries sustained by Huntley were so severe that prison authorities have determined he will not be returning to Frankland jail in Durham. Instead, sources indicate he is set to be moved to Ashworth Secure Hospital, a therapeutic facility specifically equipped to handle patients with complex needs. "The most likely destination for him if he gets out of hospital is Ashworth," confirmed a source familiar with the situation. "His injuries are such that he is unlikely to return to Frankland, at least initially."
Major Security Operation for Transfer
Should Huntley recover sufficiently to be moved, he will become the centrepiece of a massive security operation. This would involve a police escort for an ambulance during the three-hour, 170-mile journey from Newcastle to Ashworth Secure Hospital. Alternative facilities considered include Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire and Rampton Secure Hospital in Nottinghamshire, but Ashworth has been identified as the most suitable option for his specific requirements.
Therapeutic Environment at Ashworth
At Ashworth Secure Hospital, Huntley would be closely monitored away from the general prison population. The facility offers a therapeutic environment with art and music workshops, pottery and cooking classes, and social activities including bingo and film nights. Every patient is encouraged to participate in social activities as part of their daily treatment regimen, with strict policies against isolation.
The hospital environment differs significantly from traditional prison settings. There are no steel doors, staff do not wear prison uniforms, and patients are encouraged to venture outside to enjoy the surrounding green spaces. Individual rooms come equipped with music players, personal photos, books, and en-suite toilet facilities.
High-Cost Patient Care
Huntley would be treated alongside more than 200 other patients held under the Mental Health Act at Ashworth. The facility costs taxpayers approximately £300,000 annually per individual, with all residents treated as patients rather than traditional prisoners. This represents a significant departure from Huntley's previous prison experiences.
Previous Hospitalization and Current Condition
Huntley has previous experience with secure hospitals, having spent six weeks at Rampton following his 2002 arrest before being deemed fit for transfer to prison. Authorities indicate he would only be moved back into the prison system once he has recovered sufficiently from his injuries.
The attack left Huntley so close to death that medical personnel had to make immediate life-saving decisions at the prison scene. A paramedic and doctor flew to Frankland prison in Durham to stabilise him, placing him in an induced coma due to the severity of his injuries. He was transported by road rather than air ambulance to maintain stability during the 30-minute, 19-mile journey to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
High-Security Medical Transport
During this high-security medical transfer, armed police formed escorts at both the front and rear of the ambulance vehicle. Two prison guards and an armed police officer accompanied Huntley inside the ambulance throughout the journey. "He was placed in an induced coma because he was so close to death," revealed a source familiar with the medical response. "The team from the helicopter travelled with him but he could not be evacuated by air in case of any complications."
Ongoing Security and Medical Care
Two armed officers continue to guard Huntley around the clock at the hospital. Medical professionals have maintained strict professionalism despite the high-profile nature of their patient. "Medical staff must be professional no matter who they are dealing with," explained one source. "With a high-profile prisoner like Huntley, the patient's name is not released before arrival at the jail. Once the medical staff get there, they may recognise the patient but must put that to the back of their minds."
Background of the Soham Murders
Huntley is serving a life sentence for the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who disappeared after leaving a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4, 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch and initially participated in media interviews about the police investigation before his guilt was established. Huntley is currently serving a minimum 40-year term for these horrific crimes.
History of Prison Attacks
This represents the third serious assault Huntley has endured during his 24 years in prison. Prior to this incident, he had become increasingly paranoid that fellow inmates were attempting to poison him, leading him to abandon prison food in favour of fast food and confectionery purchased from the prison shop. "He knew that he was a target," according to one insider. "That is why he was so paranoid about his food."
Previous attacks include being scalded with boiling water at HMP Wakefield in 2005 and suffering a seven-inch neck wound requiring 21 stitches at Frankland prison in 2010. Police and prison authorities have not officially confirmed the identity of the suspect in the latest attack, though sources have named triple killer Anthony Russell as the alleged perpetrator.
Wider Implications and Legacy
The Huntley case led to significant changes in criminal background checks for those working with children, after it emerged he had been able to work with children despite facing previous rape and sexual assault complaints. His girlfriend Maxine Carr, a teaching assistant at the girls' primary school, was jailed in 2003 for conspiring to pervert the course of justice and was later released with a new identity in May 2004.
Durham Police confirmed on Tuesday that Huntley remains in serious condition in hospital as medical teams continue their efforts to stabilise him following the brutal assault that occurred shortly after 9 a.m. last Thursday in the prison workshop.
