Major update in Ian Huntley HMP Frankland attack as suspect identified

The 52-year-old suffered head injuries during an assault in a prison workshop at the high security jail in Brasside, County Durham, on Thursday morning (February 26).

A fellow prisoner in his 40s has been identified as a suspect and remains in the prison.

The Sun reports Huntley was left lying in a pool of blood on his prison wing.

Durham Police said specialist forensic teams have spent the day examining the workshop area as part of their investigation.

Soham murderer Ian Huntley

Huntley was serving a minimum term of 40 years for the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002.

Huntley murdered schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham in 2002 (Image: ARCHIVE)

The former school caretaker lured the girls to his home before killing them and dumping their bodies in a ditch. Their bodies were discovered more than a week later, 12 miles from their home town.

He has been held at HMP Frankland among some of the UK's worst killers, a high-security prison in County Durham, for a number of years.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “The 52-year-old prisoner who was injured during this morning’s assault in the workshop at HMP Frankland remains in a serious condition in hospital following treatment for head injuries.

“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.”

HMP Frankland, Durham (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Earlier, they said he suffered "serious injuries" and was taken to hospital.

A Prison Service spokesperson added: “A prisoner is receiving treatment after an incident at HMP Frankland on Thursday morning.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate.