Huntley fights for life after attacker leaves him in a pool of blood

IAN Huntley is fighting for life after being battered repeatedly around the head with a metal bar by a fellow inmate yesterday.

- BY JEREMY ARMSTRONG and PATRICK HILL

The Soham beast, 52 who killed schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both 10, in 2002 was targeted in a workshop at HMP Frankland in Durham. A source said: “The attacker got to him when he least expected it.”

Prison staff had to pull the assailant off him after finding Huntley in a pool of blood yesterday just after 9am.

Insiders told how the double child killer was assaulted by surprise in a workshop.

A fellow inmate, armed with a “thick metal pole”, beat the 52-year-old around the head so severely that he may not survive his injuries.

Last night he remained in a serious condition in hospital.

Authorities have launched an investigation into how the attacker, who was detained at the prison for questioning, gained access to the weapon.

Insiders reported heightened security around Huntley because of two previous attacks on him behind bars. His cell was believed to be near a desk used by jail staff so they could watch him closely.

Huntley was still considered the main target for an attack in Frankland due to the horrific nature of his crimes the murders of schoolgirls Holly and Jessica.

A source said: “He was held on a wing used by the most high-profile inmates.

“It was like a jail within a jail, and his cell was right next to a desk used by the guards.