The 52-year-old was reportedly struck multiple times with a metal bar to the head while he was in the work shop at HMP Frankland in County Durham on Thursday.
An update on the condition of Ian Huntley has been released by police after the infamous child murderer was attacked in prison.
The 52-year-old was reportedly struck multiple times with a metal bar to the head while he was in the workshop at HMP Frankland in County Durham on Thursday, February 26. Following the attack he was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle, where he remains in a serious condition.
A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said on Wednesday: “There has been no change in the 52-year-old man’s condition overnight – he remains in hospital in a serious condition.”
His injuries were so severe that he will not return to Frankland jail in Durham. He instead will be moved to Ashworth Secure Hospital. A source told the Mirror: “The most likely destination for him if he gets out of hospital is Ashworth. His injuries are such that he is unlikely to Frankland, at least initially.”
Triple murderer Anthony Russell has been named as the main suspect, however police and prison officials are yet to formally confirm this. He was so close to death after the assault that he had to travel by road rather than by air to hospital.
A paramedic and a doctor flew to Frankland in Durham and stabilised him at the scene. They placed him in an induced coma because of the severity of his injuries.
Huntley is serving a life sentence after being convicted of murdering 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire in August 2002. He was jailed in 2005 and is unable to seek parole until 2042.
“He was placed in an induced coma because he was so close to death,” a source said. “The team from the helicopter travelled with him but he could not be evacuated by air in case of any complications. He was transported by road because he was in a coma; this helps to keep him stable. The helicopter then travels to the hospital to collect the medics. Two armed officers are guarding Huntley around the clock at the hospital.”
One source told the Mirror: “Medical staff must be professional no matter who they are dealing with. With a high-profile prisoner like Huntley, the patient’s name is not released before arrival at the jail. Once the medical staff get there, they may recognise the patient but must put that to the back of their minds.”
The assault was his third during 24 years in prison. Huntley was scalded with boiling water at HMP Wakefield in 2005. He was moved to Frankland, where robber Damien Fowkes slashed him in 2010. The neck wound was seven inches (18 cm) long and required 21 stitches.
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