Ian Huntley Fighting for Life After Vicious Prison Assault
Convicted child murderer Ian Huntley has been left with a mere five percent chance of survival following a brutal attack with a metal spike inside HMP Frankland in County Durham. The 52-year-old was rushed to hospital and remains in a medically induced coma after the assault, which occurred in a prison workshop on Thursday morning.
Suspected Attacker Identified as Triple Murderer
Multiple prison sources indicate that Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old serving a whole life sentence for triple murder and rape, likely launched the vicious attack. Witnesses claim that after Huntley was beaten around the head three times, Russell was restrained by prison officers while shouting: 'I've done it, I've done it. I've killed him, I've killed him.'
An insider revealed the gravity of Huntley's condition: 'It is miraculous he is still alive. Medics have worked miracles on him and he has clung on. The prison nurses and staff who first saw him thought he was gone. And medics said there was only a five per cent chance of survival after an attack like that.'
Attack Details and Prisoner Dynamics
The assault happened around 9:30 AM on Thursday, with Huntley found in a pool of his own blood. Many inmates reportedly cheered rather than offering assistance. Insiders suggest there had been a 'queue' of inmates wanting to kill Huntley, including Darren Osborne, the Finsbury Park Mosque attacker.
According to sources, Huntley had been 'trying to bully' Anthony Russell and turn others against him, but Russell struck first. A fight allegedly broke out before Russell swung a metal pole with such force that part of the bar became lodged in Huntley's head.
A prison source described the scene: 'Huntley was working in waste management with other prisoners from Wing A, the segregated wing for prisoners who can't be in the normal jail population for their own protection. The other prisoner got a metal bar from the waste metal crates and smashed Huntley three times in the head with it. It was a very, very serious injury.'
Critical Condition and Prison Response
Despite officers initially fearing Huntley had died at the scene, paramedics managed to place him in a medically induced coma and transport him to hospital. Durham Constabulary confirmed he remains in serious condition, with no change overnight.
One visitor to the prison described Huntley as looking like he had been 'ripped apart like a rat,' adding: 'He's in a bad, bad way. I shouldn't say it, but it's what he deserves.'
A former prison officer warned of potential copycat attacks: 'Just like on the outside when something horrendous happens you get copycats looking for five minutes of fame. It's the same in a prison but obviously the tension will be very much heightened. Security will be even higher now.'
Background of the Attackers
Ian Huntley was convicted in December 2003 for murdering ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years. This marks the third time Huntley has been attacked in prison, following a throat-slashing in 2010 and having boiling water thrown over him in 2005.
Suspected attacker Anthony Russell was convicted for the murder of Julie Williams and her son David Williams, plus the rape and murder of pregnant Nicole McGregor near Leamington Spa in 2022. West Midlands Police believe he strangled David Williams with a lanyard due to a mistaken belief about a relationship with his girlfriend.
Prison Environment and Aftermath
Wing A at HMP Frankland houses inmates at risk of attack from other prisoners, including sex offenders and jailed police officers. These prisoners move around the prison as a group for protection. The source noted that while some prisoners might celebrate the attack, many dislike disruptions to their routine.
'The majority of prisoners in Frankland have already accepted their lot and most of them abide by the rules and go to education,' the source explained.
Huntley's former girlfriend Maxine Carr, who provided a fake alibi during the Soham investigation, served three and a half years for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. She was released in May 2004 and granted lifelong anonymity.
