7:55am Saturday 31st July 2010
SOHAM murderer Ian Huntley is to sue the Prison Service after he was attacked by an inmate in a County Durham jail.
Huntley's throat was slashed at Frankland Prison in March.
The 36-year-old, who murdered the 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, is claiming the service has failed in its duty of care towards him.
He is understood to be claiming almost £100,000 in damages and the case could cost the taxpayer more than £1m in legal aid fees.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said last night the compensation claim would be "vigorously defended".
Huntley was moved to Frankland, a Category A high security men's prison, in 2008.
While at Frankland he was attacked and slashed across the throat by a prisoner with a razor blade.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Ian Huntley is bringing a claim against the Ministry of Justice following an assault by another prisoner."
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