Anthony Russell charged with murder of Ian Huntley

The Soham murderer was reportedly beaten with a metal bar at the prison workshop on Thursday, February 26.

The 52-year-old suffered severe brain trauma and died in hospital on Saturday, March 7.

Anthony Russell, 43, has been charged with murder and will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (March 11).

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “A man has been charged with murder following an incident at HMP Frankland in Durham.

“Emergency services were called to reports of an assault in the workshop on the morning of Thursday, February 26.

“Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died on the morning of Saturday, March 7.

“Anthony Russell, 43, of HMP Frankland, has been charged with murder and will appear via video link at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 11.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it has decided to prosecute Anthony Russell with murder following a police investigation into a fatal attack on Ian Huntley at HMP Frankland.

Christopher Atkinson of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with Durham Constabulary as they carried out their investigation.”

The Soham murderer had been on life support in hospital after being hit repeatedly over the head by an inmate armed with a metal bar.

His life support was switched off at lunchtime on Friday after brain tests showed he was in a vegetative state, The Sun reported. He was confirmed dead on Saturday morning.

Huntley murdered ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after hey left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch.