Killer ‘unlikely to survive’ assault after being left blind and on life support
Ian Huntley, the convicted killer of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, has been declared blind and is considered highly unlikely to survive following a brutal prison assault, according to reports.
The 52-year-old remains on life support after being attacked with a spiked metal pole at HMP Frankland in County Durham last week.
Huntley has allegedly lost his sight after sustaining direct blows to his eyes, combined with severe brain trauma from the beating, The Sun has revealed.
The former school caretaker, who is serving a minimum 40-year sentence for the 2002 murders of the ten-year-olds in Soham, has not regained consciousness since the assault.
Doctors initially assessed his chances of survival at just five per cent.
The attack took place in a prison workshop last Thursday, where Huntley was said to have been struck up to 15 times with the weapon.
His attacker allegedly shouted: “I’ve done it! I’ve done it! I’ve killed him, I’ve killed him!”
Sources told the newspaper that Huntley’s head was “split in two” and that the injuries left him “completely unrecognisable” in hospital.
Ian Huntley remains on life support after being attacked with a spiked metal pole behind bars
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Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old convicted triple killer and rapist, is suspected of carrying out the attack.
Police have not yet made an arrest in connection with the assault.
The violence marks the latest in a series of attacks on Huntley during his time in custody, though none previously came close to proving fatal.
Medical staff are now said to be considering whether to switch off life support following discussions with his family.
The 52-year–old was convicted of killing schoolgirls Holly Wells (left) and Jessica Chapman (right) in 2002
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A source said: “It is now looking like he will not pull through, barring a miracle. Huntley never recovered from the battering and never stood much of a chance of doing so.”
Brain stem tests have reportedly yielded poor results for the convicted murderer.
The source added: “They are monitoring him really closely and he is not responding well or showing signs of recovery.”
On Tuesday, insiders reported a “change in circumstance” following a deterioration in Huntley’s condition, which led to some police officers guarding him being stood down.
The brutal attack took place at HMP Frankland in County Durham
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GOOGLEHis mother, Lynda Richards, 71, is said to have travelled from her Lincolnshire home to be at his hospital bedside, allegedly telling friends that her son was unrecognisable following the savage assault.
The incident is not the first time Huntley has been targeted behind bars.
In 2010, he required 21 stitches after robber Damien Fowkes slashed his throat in prison.
Four years earlier, in 2006, he received hospital treatment following a suicide attempt while being held at HMP Wakefield.
Durham Constabulary have confirmed that “a 52-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious condition”.
Meanwhile, a Prison Service spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment while police investigate.”
