Anthony Russell suspected in attack on Ian Huntley as anthony russell named in prison assault
It is understood that triple killer anthony russell, 43, is suspected of attacking Ian Huntley, who remains in hospital in a serious condition after the prison assault. Huntley, 52, suffered significant head trauma and is undergoing treatment following the attack at HMP Frankland.
Anthony Russell suspected attacker
Officials have said anthony russell, 43, is suspected of carrying out the attack on Huntley. Russell is serving a whole-life prison term for murdering Julie Williams, her son David Williams and Nicole McGregor, whose body was found in woodland near Leamington Spa. He had admitted the murders during a week-long spree in October 2020.
Attack at HMP Frankland
The 52-year-old was found lying in a pool of blood after being bludgeoned with a makeshift weapon at a prison workshop at HMP Frankland, the high security prison in County Durham. The killer was found in a pool of blood at HMP Frankland in Durham on Thursday. Police said a male prisoner in his mid-40s suspected of carrying out the attack was "in detention" but had not been arrested "at this stage".
Huntley's injuries and treatment
Huntley has suffered significant head trauma and is undergoing treatment in hospital. In an update on Friday, Durham Constabulary said there had been "no change in the 52-year-old man's condition overnight - he remains in hospital in a serious condition".
Past attacks and convictions
This is not the first time Huntley has been attacked in custody. He was slashed across the throat in 2010 and needed 21 stitches; an inmate who slashed his throat with a makeshift knife was later jailed for life. Damien Fowkes was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years for the attempted murder of Huntley in March 2010 and the manslaughter of child killer Colin Hatch. Fowkes inflicted a wound seven inches long on Huntley's neck and the court was told it was only "good fortune" that the weapon missed anything vital. Huntley was also attacked in 2005 when a convicted murderer chucked boiling water over him at HMP Wakefield.
Soham murders and victims
Huntley is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. In the commuter town of Soham in Cambridgeshire, the ten-year-old girls had been at a family barbeque and it is believed they were on their way to buy sweets when Huntley, then aged 28, lured them back to his home and killed them. The photo of the girls he killed, in their red Manchester United football kits, remains etched in the memories of many who remember their disappearance and murder more than 20 years on.
Prison staff and detectives are continuing to liaise as a police investigation into the assault is under way. The prison, nicknamed Monster Mansion, houses some of the most dangerous criminals including murderers and rapists. The suspect in this latest incident remains in detention within the prison while inquiries continue.
