Lynda Richards, the mother of convicted child killer Ian Huntley, has reportedly stated that she 'couldn't recognise her own son' after he was brutally assaulted in prison. The attack, which occurred at HMP Frankland in Durham, has left Huntley with only a 5% chance of survival, according to medical assessments.
Mother's Distressing Hospital Visit
Richards, aged 71, travelled 175 miles from her home in Lincolnshire to visit Huntley in hospital following the violent incident. A source close to the family revealed that Richards and a friend were escorted to the hospital wing by a Prison Service staff member, while armed police guarded her son. The source described the emotional turmoil Richards experienced, noting that she later told friends she 'just wants to be free of it.'
Details of the Prison Attack
Huntley was discovered in a pool of blood on Thursday after being bludgeoned in his cell. The primary suspect in the attack has been identified as triple killer Anthony Russell, although police and prison authorities have not officially confirmed his involvement. Witnesses reported that the suspect yelled 'I've killed him' as prison staff led him away from the scene.
Huntley's Criminal History
Ian Huntley is serving a life sentence for the murders of two schoolgirls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4, 2002. His girlfriend at the time, Maxine Carr, who was the girls' teaching assistant, knowingly provided Huntley with a false alibi. Carr was subsequently jailed for three-and-a-half years for conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Mother's Heart-Wrenching Dilemma
The source further explained that Richards is grappling with an extraordinarily difficult situation. 'He's been attacked on so many occasions and she now thinks it might be better if he didn't pull through,' the source said. 'Part of her just hopes he passes away this time. But he's still her son, regardless of what happened, and they have remained very close.'
Police Update on Huntley's Condition
Durham Constabulary issued an update this morning, stating that there has been no change in the 52-year-old man's condition overnight. Huntley remains in hospital in a serious condition, with authorities continuing to monitor his situation closely.
History of Attacks in Prison
This latest assault is not the first time Huntley has been targeted at HMP Frankland. In 2011, an inmate named Damien Fowkes was jailed for life after slashing Huntley's throat with a makeshift knife in March 2010. Fowkes was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years for the attempted murder of Huntley and the manslaughter of another child killer, Colin Hatch.
The ongoing violence highlights the dangerous environment within high-security prisons and the complex emotions faced by families of notorious criminals. As Huntley fights for his life, his mother's painful words underscore the profound impact of his crimes and subsequent attacks on those connected to him.
