Ian Huntley, the convicted killer of two 10-year-old girls in Soham, has reportedly suffered severe brain trauma and is not expected to regain consciousness following an assault at HMP Frankland, a maximum-security prison in Durham. The incident, which took place on February 26, involved Huntley being attacked with a metal bar by another inmate, leading to significant injuries that have left him blind and on life support.
Sources indicate that Huntley, 52, has not shown signs of recovery since the attack, with one insider stating he “never stood much of a chance” following the violent episode. In the aftermath, murder and rape convict Anthony Russell, 43, allegedly shouted, “I’ve done it, I’ve done it” upon completion of the attack. Although Durham Constabulary has not officially identified the attacker, they confirmed the detainment of a man in his mid-40s related to the incident. No arrests or charges have been made as of yet.
Huntley, originally from Grimsby, gained infamy for the 2002 murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who disappeared while heading to buy sweets, only for their bodies to be discovered later in a ditch. Following the recent assault, Huntley’s daughter, Samantha Bryan, expressed her feelings about her father, remarking, “There’s a special place in hell waiting for him.”
Russell, the perpetrator of other separate murders, was sentenced to a whole-life tariff in 2021. Previously, Huntley had been targeted in prison before, including a notable incident in 2010 during which he was attacked by inmate Damien Fowkes, who caused a severe neck injury.
Huntley’s life sentence requires him to serve at least 40 years for his heinous crimes. The series of attacks against him reflect ongoing tensions surrounding his status as a notorious figure both within the prison system and in public consciousness.