Anthony Russell suspected in HMP Frankland assault as anthony russell is named over attack on Ian Huntley

anthony russell, 43, is suspected of attacking Soham murderer Ian Huntley at HMP Frankland, leaving Huntley, 52, with significant head trauma and in hospital in a serious condition. The assault, which left Huntley lying in a pool of blood in a prison workshop on Thursday, has prompted a police investigation and liaison between detectives and prison staff.

Anthony Russell named as suspected attacker at HMP Frankland

The suspected assailant has been identified as triple killer Anthony Russell, who is 43 and is serving a whole-life prison term. Russell is suspected of carrying out the attack inside a prison workshop at HMP Frankland in County Durham, where Huntley was found after being bludgeoned with a makeshift weapon.

Ian Huntley's injuries and hospital status

Ian Huntley, 52, has suffered significant head trauma and is undergoing treatment. 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. " He was found in a pool of blood and was taken to hospital following the assault on Thursday.

Detention of a mid-40s prisoner and ongoing police inquiry

Police have identified a male prisoner in his mid-40s as a suspect and said the prisoner was "in detention" within the prison but had not been arrested "at this stage". A police investigation is under way and detectives are liaising with staff at the prison.

Russell's convictions and the October 2020 spree

Anthony Russell is serving a whole-life term for the murders of Julie Williams, her son David Williams and Nicole McGregor. Nicole McGregor's body was found in woodland near Leamington Spa. Russell admitted those murders during a week-long spree in October 2020.

History of attacks on Huntley and prison context

This is not the first time Ian Huntley has been attacked in custody. He was slashed across the throat in 2010 and needed 21 stitches. Separately, an inmate was later jailed for life over a throat-slashing; Damien Fowkes was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years for the attempted murder of Huntley in March 2010 and for the manslaughter of 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 threw boiling water over him at HMP Wakefield. HMP Frankland is nicknamed "Monster Mansion" and houses some of the most dangerous criminals, including murderers and rapists. Huntley would have been held on Rule 43 in the prison's unit for vulnerable inmates, a unit that also holds police informants.

How the 2002 Soham murders remain part of the story

Many recall the murders that led to Huntley's life sentence more than 20 years ago. In Soham, Cambridgeshire, Huntley killed two ten-year-old girls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, in the summer of 2002. The girls had been at a family barbeque and are believed to have been on their way to buy sweets when Huntley, then aged 28, lured them back to his home and killed them. The image of the girls in red Manchester United shirts remains a vivid memory for many who recall their disappearance and murder.