Anthony Russell suspected after attack leaves Ian Huntley in serious condition

Triple killer anthony russell, 43, is suspected of attacking Ian Huntley at HMP Frankland, leaving the 52-year-old Soham murderer in hospital with significant head trauma and undergoing treatment. Durham Constabulary said "no change in the 52-year-old man's condition overnight - he remains in hospital in a serious condition. "

Attack at HMP Frankland

Huntley 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 prisoner was taken to hospital after being found in a pool of blood following the alleged attack on Thursday.

Anthony Russell suspected attacker

Authorities suspect anthony russell, 43, carried out the attack. 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.

Police status and investigation

Police earlier 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". A separate police statement said: "He has not been arrested at this stage but remains in detention within the prison. " The force confirmed a police investigation is under way and that detectives are liaising with staff at the prison.

Victim's sentence and injuries

Ian Huntley, 52, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. Huntley has suffered significant head trauma from his injuries and is undergoing treatment. Durham Constabulary reiterated: "He remains in hospital in a serious condition. "

Past attacks and prison history

This is not the first time Huntley has been attacked in custody. He was slashed across the throat in 2010 and needed 21 stitches. In 2005, he was attacked when a convicted murderer threw boiling water over him at HMP Wakefield. In a separate case, an inmate who slashed Huntley's 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.

Prison environment and public reaction

The prison, nicknamed Monster Mansion, houses some of the most dangerous criminals including murderers and rapists. Observers note that any prisoner convicted of a child sex crime is a target. From his first day inside, there was a price on Huntley's head — not a monetary one, but the promise of "respect" for anyone who attacked him. In the violent world of a top security jail, respect from fellow cons is everything, and some inmates seek revenge to make you suffer like you made your victims suffer. Huntley would have been on Rule 43, held in the prison's unit for vulnerable inmates, mostly sex offenders, but police informants too.

Reminders of the original murders

As Huntley lies in hospital with serious injuries, many will be remembering the horror of what he did more than 20 years ago. In the commuter town of Soham in Cambridgeshire, Ian Huntley killed two ten-year-old girls in the summer of 2002. Holly and Jessica 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 — is etched in the minds of many who vividly remember their disappearance and murder.

Durham Constabulary continues to investigate the incident at HMP Frankland while Huntley remains in hospital in a serious condition.