Soham child murderer Ian Huntley dies after prison attack
The 52 year old was attacked in prison by another inmate
Last updated 18 hours ago
Ian Huntley, the man who killed two young girls in Soham has died after being attacked in the workshop of a maximum security jail by an inmate with a metal bar.
Huntley, who was originally from Grimsby was attacked at HMP Frankland in Durham in February.
In early March it was reported that Huntley had been blinded by the attack and was not expected to regain consciousness.
Former caretaker Huntley killed 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002, he then dumped their bodies in a ditch.
He was serving a life sentence with a recommendation that he serves at least 40 years for the murders.
Huntley had been attacked before
This assault was the latest attempt on Huntley's life and he was thought to have been kept under close observation to prevent similar attacks.
In 2010, robber Damien Fowkes slashed Huntley with a home-made weapon, causing a "severe, gaping cut to the left side of his neck" with a 7in (18cm) wound which required 21 stitches.
Fowkes described Huntley as a "notorious child killer, both inside prison and in society in general".
Police and Ministry of Justice statements
A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said:
"A man who was attacked at HMP Frankland in Durham last week has died in hospital this morning.
"Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries following an incident in the workshop on the morning of Thursday, February 26.
"A police investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.
"A file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for charges."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:
"The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation's history, and our thoughts are with their families."