Soham killer Ian Huntley reportedly attacked in County Durham prison
The 52-year-old is serving a life sentence for murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman
Last updated 26th Feb 2026
Soham killer Ian Huntley is reported to have suffered serious injuries after being attacked in prison in County Durham.
Durham Constabulary said a prisoner, understood to be Huntley, was assaulted on Thursday morning at HMP Frankland before being rushed to hospital.
A spokesman for the force said: "Police were alerted to an assault which had taken place within HMP Frankland in Durham this morning.
"A male prisoner suffered serious injuries during the incident and was transported to hospital.
"A police investigation is now under way into the circumstances of the incident and detectives are liaising with staff at the prison."
Newspaper reports suggest he was knocked unconscious with a metal pole, with a source quoted as saying his condition was "touch and go".
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, then dumped their bodies in a ditch.
He is serving a life sentence for their murders.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prisoner is receiving treatment after an incident at HMP Frankland on Thursday morning.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate."
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 9.23am on Thursday26 February 2026 to reports of an incident at HM Prison Frankland in County Durham.
"We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
"One patient was transported to hospital by road."