Ian Huntley, the man convicted of murdering Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, is on life support and considered unlikely to survive after being attacked with a spiked metal pole at a Category A prison in County Durham last week.
The 52-year-old, who is serving a minimum 40-year sentence for the murders of the ten-year-olds, has not regained consciousness since the assault at HMP Frankland last Thursday. According to The Sun, doctors initially placed his chances of survival at just five per cent. Brain stem tests have since returned poor results, and medical staff are now reported to be in discussions with his family about whether to withdraw life support.
A source told the newspaper: “It is now looking like he will not pull through, barring a miracle. Huntley never recovered from the battering and never stood much of a chance of doing so.” The source added that he was “not responding well or showing signs of recovery.”
The attack is said to have taken place in a prison workshop, where Huntley was allegedly struck up to 15 times. He sustained direct blows to his eyes, leaving him blind, alongside severe brain trauma that sources described as leaving his head “split in two” and his appearance “completely unrecognisable.” His alleged attacker was reported to have shouted that he had killed Huntley immediately after the assault.
Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old serving a sentence for triple murder and rape, is suspected of carrying out the attack. Durham Constabulary has not yet confirmed any arrest in connection with the incident, and a Prison Service spokesman said it would be “inappropriate to comment while police investigate.” Durham Constabulary confirmed only that “a 52-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious condition.”
Huntley’s mother, Lynda Richards, 71, is reported to have travelled from her home in Lincolnshire to be at his bedside, with sources claiming she told friends her son was unrecognisable following the assault. On Tuesday, a reported deterioration in his condition led to some of the police officers stationed at the hospital being stood down.
This is not the first time Huntley has been attacked while in custody. In 2010, he required 21 stitches after having his throat slashed by another prisoner, and in 2006 he received hospital treatment following a suicide attempt at HMP Wakefield.
