Terrifying Prison Scene: Soham Killer Ian Huntley Fighting for Life After Brutal Assault

Ian Huntley, who was found guilty of murdering 10-year-old girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, is in a critical state at the hospital after being attacked violently in a maximum-security prison this week.

The 52-year-old was attacked while serving a life sentence in HMP Frankland in County Durham, leaving staff, police, and observers stunned by the brutality of the incident.

Prison Workshop Assault

The incident took place on Thursday morning in a workshop area of the HMP Frankland prison, which houses some of the most notorious criminals in the UK. Durham Constabulary verified the report that officers were called to reports of an assault within the prison and that Huntley had sustained serious head injuries during the altercation.

Police statements indicated that Huntley was injured and taken to the hospital, where he remains in a critical condition following treatment. A spokesperson of the force reported:

'Police forensic teams have examined the scene of the attack throughout the day to gather evidence.

'A suspect, a male prisoner in his mid-40s, has been identified by officers investigating the incident. He has not been arrested at this stage but remains in detention within the prison.'

Hospital Treatment And Condition

Following the call at 9:23 am, emergency service was dispatched to the prison, and the North East Ambulance Service was called for support. Huntley was brought to the hospital by road following treatment at the scene, with investigators trying to get the exact way the attack occurred.

Although there have been limited official reports, media reports suggest that the convicted murderer was hit with a metal pole or similar implement, leaving him unconscious in a pool of blood before being found. His condition was described as touch-and-go hours after the incident by some sources.

Background: HMP Frankland And Huntley's Crimes

HMP Frankland, located in County Durham, is one of the UK's highest-security prisons and holds a number of notorious inmates. Huntley has been incarcerated there for many years after being convicted of the 2002 murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who were killed after leaving a family barbecue to buy sweets.

At the time of the girls' disappearance, Huntley was the caretaker at their school and initially presented himself as a volunteer during the search for them. Their bodies were eventually found in a ditch near an airbase after an intensive search. Huntley was convicted on 17 December 2003 and is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

Ongoing Investigation

According to Durham Constabulary, detectives are still collaborating with prison staff members in order to establish the full circumstances of the attack. Currently, there has been limited public comment while the probe remains active, and as a Prison Service spokesperson indicated, 'it would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate.'

The fact that another inmate has been identified as a suspect suggests that prison staff might have information regarding events that led up to the assault, although the suspect has yet to be charged. Investigators can now strive to assemble evidence, eyewitness accounts, and any surveillance recording of the incident that may help in the explanation of motive and method.