The Soham murderer Ian Huntley has been seriously injured in an assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham. The 51-year-old, who is serving a life sentence for the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, was taken to hospital after the incident on Thursday morning.
According to reports, Huntley was knocked unconscious with a metal pole during the attack. A source described his condition as 'touch and go'. Durham Constabulary confirmed that a male prisoner suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital, with a police investigation now under way.
The North East Ambulance Service received a call at 9.23am and dispatched two ambulance crews, requesting support from the Great North Air Ambulance. The patient was taken to hospital by road.
Huntley killed the girls in August 2002 after they left a family barbecue in Soham, Cambridgeshire. He later dumped their bodies in a ditch. The case became one of the most intensive searches in British criminal history, involving 400 police officers. Huntley was convicted in 2003 and given a life sentence.
HMP Frankland is a category A prison housing several high-profile inmates. A Prison Service spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate.
