Notorious child murderer Ian Huntley has been stripped of his Xbox gaming console in a significant crackdown on contraband within his high-security prison, according to prison insiders. The Soham killer, currently serving two life sentences at HMP Frankland in County Durham, has reportedly been left 'upset' by the removal of his privileges following the discovery of unauthorised items in his cell.
Prison discipline leads to gaming console removal
Prison officers at the Category A facility, often referred to as 'Monster Mansion' for housing some of Britain's most dangerous criminals, conducted a search of Huntley's cell that revealed multiple breaches of prison rules. The 51-year-old, who will turn 52 next week, was found to be hoarding contraband including DVDs, USB sticks, and various magazines alongside his Xbox console.
Following the discovery, Huntley is said to have admitted to the rule violations, leading directly to the confiscation of his gaming system. One prison insider revealed to The Sun newspaper: "He loved his Xbox and played it all the time. But he's most upset at being moved from his cell to one on the bottom floor next to all the old fogies on the wing."
Additional punishment includes relocation within prison
Beyond losing his gaming privileges, Huntley has reportedly been transferred to a different section of HMP Frankland typically reserved for older inmates. The relocation appears to have compounded his dissatisfaction with the disciplinary measures. The prison source added: "Everyone else thinks it's funny and he's the butt of a load of jokes. He's quite arrogant and has been acting like the big 'I am' for ages so this will take him down a peg or two."
HMP Frankland houses numerous high-profile prisoners including murderer Levi Bellfield, former police officer and killer Wayne Couzens, and Woolwich attacker Michael Adebolajo. The facility maintains strict security protocols for managing its dangerous inmate population.
Background of Huntley's crimes and imprisonment
Ian Huntley shocked the nation in 2002 when he murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire. As caretaker at St Andrew's Primary School, which both girls attended, he had invited them into his home before killing them and disposing of their bodies in a ditch. Prior to his arrest, Huntley had actively participated in the search for the missing girls and told reporters he was the last person to see them alive.
The gamekeeper who discovered the bodies on August 17, 2002 - thirteen days after the girls disappeared - helped bring the horrific case to a conclusion. Huntley received two life sentences for the murders and has spent most of his incarceration in high-security prisons, initially at HMP Wakefield before being transferred to Frankland in 2008.
Recent developments and future parole considerations
Last month, Huntley's daughter Samantha Bryan revealed she had requested to visit him in prison to seek more details about the brutal murders, but received a blunt rejection letter instead. Huntley wrote: "Given the probable length of my future and your current motives I doubt there will be enough time for a significant shift in circumstances in order for us to ever meet." Bryan subsequently described her father as a "pitiful, twisted, manipulative coward."
During his imprisonment, Huntley survived a serious attack in 2010 when a fellow inmate slashed his throat with a makeshift weapon, causing significant injuries. According to current sentencing arrangements, he will not be eligible for a parole hearing until 2042, and even then would only be released if the Parole Board determines he no longer poses a danger to the public.
The recent disciplinary action against Huntley underscores the ongoing challenges prison authorities face in managing high-profile inmates while maintaining security and discipline within the penal system. The removal of gaming consoles and other privileges forms part of standard punishment protocols for rule violations in UK prisons.
