Police issue update on Ian Huntley's condition in hospital

The 52-year-old suffered serious head injuries in an attack at HMP Frankland on Thursday morning (February 26).

This morning, Durham Police said there had been no change in Huntley's condition.

A force spokesperson said: "The 52-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious condition, there have been no changes overnight."

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

The Sun, which first reported the attack, said the killer was knocked unconscious with a metal pole and quoted a source saying his condition was “touch and go”.

Soham murderer Ian Huntley

Triple murderer Anthony Russell allegedly shouted "I've done it" after attacking Huntley with a metal bar.

Specialist forensic teams spent Thursday examining the scene in the workshop of the maximum security jail as the investigation got underway. 

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

Huntley 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.

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

He has been held at HMP Frankland among some of the UK's worst killers, for a number of years.

A Prison Service spokesperson previously 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."

Thursday’s assault was the latest attempt on Huntley’s life and he was thought to have been kept under close observation to prevent similar attacks.

He is serving a life sentence with a recommendation that he serves at least 40 years for the murders.

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 asked a prison officer: “Is he dead? I hope so.”

He described Huntley as a “notorious child killer, both inside prison and in society in general”.