Watchdog probe into Ian Huntley’s death after Frankland ‘attack’

Huntley was reportedly assaulted with a metal bar at a prison recycling workshop at the County Durham jail on February 26. 

The 52-year-old was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he was believed to have been placed on life support but died on March 7. 

Inmate Anthony Russell, 43, has since been charged with murder and appeared at Teesside Crown Court via videolink for a 10 minute preliminary hearing. 

Now, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman has confirmed it is investigating the death, saying the report is expected to take 26 weeks. 

A spokesperson said: “We are investigating the death of Ian Huntley. Mr Huntley’s final investigation report will be published on our website after the inquest concludes.”

Huntley was serving a life sentence for the 2002 murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Huntley murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham in 2002 (Image: ARCHIVE)

The ex-school caretaker killed the best friends after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles away.

They were not found for 13 days despite a search involving hundreds of police officers.

At the time, Huntley lived with Maxine Carr who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica’s primary school.

He denied murdering the girls but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003 and was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 40 years.

Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice. She is now living under a new identity.

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During the hearing at the higher court on March 12, murder accused Russell confirmed his name and date of birth before Judge Francis Laird KC.

Sitting at a table in a conference room, he followed the proceedings in court.

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Anthony Russell appearing via video link at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court,

He was not asked to enter a plea and was told there will be a pre-trial preparation hearing on April 24 at Newcastle Crown Court.

The judge confirmed with Tyrone Smith KC, defending, that Russell was on the link and cooperating fully with the proceedings.

Concluding the hearing, Judge Laird said: “Mr Russell, that is the end of the case today.

“You will next be before the court on April 24 and I direct you may attend that hearing remotely.

“If your lawyers feel there is merit in you being at Newcastle Crown Court then they will be at liberty to apply to the court administratively to ensure your attendance at that hearing.”

Russell replied: “Thank you.”