Triple Killer Anthony Russell Named as Ian Huntley's Prison Attacker
In a shocking development from HMP Frankland, the inmate who brutally attacked child killer Ian Huntley has been identified as Anthony Russell, a triple murderer serving a whole-life order. Huntley, 52, who murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, was left in critical condition after the assault on Thursday morning, with Durham Constabulary now investigating the incident.
Details of the Violent Assault
Prison sources cited by the Sun and Daily Mail have claimed that Russell attacked Huntley with a metal bar, reportedly striking him three times in the head. The assault occurred while both men were working in the segregated wing of the prison, known as Wing A, which houses inmates requiring protection from the general population. According to insiders, Russell produced the metal bar from waste metal crates in the recycling area and launched the attack, leaving Huntley with severe injuries.
One source described the scene, stating: "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, having been struck on the skull like that."
Russell's Chilling Boast and Criminal History
Following the attack, Russell allegedly declared, "I've done it, I've done it. I've killed him, I've killed him," as he was led away in handcuffs. Anthony Russell, 43, is a convicted triple killer, having been jailed in 2022 for the murders of Julie Williams, her son David Williams, and the rape and murder of pregnant Nicole McGregor near Leamington Spa in 2020. At his sentencing, Mr Justice Wall told Warwick Crown Court that each death resulted from "a separate murderous act which was sustained and brutal," imposing a whole-life order meaning Russell will never be eligible for parole.
Reactions and Huntley's Condition
A woman visiting an inmate housed alongside Huntley in the segregated wing told the Mail that Huntley appeared to have 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." The Prison Service confirmed that Huntley was rushed to hospital after the attack, and he remains in critical condition. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about prison safety and the treatment of high-profile inmates, with insiders previously revealing that Huntley is viewed as a "self-righteous p***k" by other prisoners who wanted to "do him in."
As the investigation continues, this case highlights the volatile environment within maximum-security prisons and the ongoing risks faced by notorious criminals like Huntley, whose crimes continue to evoke strong emotions decades later.
