Inmate shouted ‘I’ve killed him’ after attacking Soham murderer Ian Huntley with metal pole

Inmate shouted ‘I’ve killed him’ after attacking Soham murderer Ian Huntley with metal pole

The name Ian Huntley still evokes a chilling darkness, a stark reminder of the vanished smiles of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. For years, he’s existed within the brutal confines of a prison system, a life sentence intended to shield the world from his monstrous acts. But prison offers no true sanctuary, only a different kind of vulnerability.

Recently, Huntley became the target of a violent assault, suffering serious head injuries. Reports detail a furious confrontation with another inmate, Anthony Russell, escalating into a brutal attack with a makeshift weapon. The force was devastating, leaving Huntley in critical condition, clinging to life within a hospital setting.

Whispers within the prison walls paint a grim picture. One visitor described the scene as horrific, claiming Huntley appeared “ripped apart like a rat.” While such accounts are fueled by emotion, they underscore the raw, visceral reaction his very existence provokes in others. The attack wasn’t an isolated incident; Huntley has been a marked man for years.

Ian Huntley, 28, who is being questioned by detectives Friday August 16, 2002, about the disappearance of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, the caretaker at Soham Village College, and his partner Maxine Carr, 25, a teaching assistant in Holly and Jessica's class at St Andrews Primary School in Soham until the end of last term, had agreed with police to give witness statements and are at police stations elsewhere in the county. See PA story MISSING Girld. PA Photo: Toby Melville....A...Soham...UK

This latest assault is merely the most recent attempt on his life. Authorities were aware of the danger and had reportedly placed him under close observation, a precaution that ultimately failed to prevent the violence. The weight of his crimes, the unimaginable grief he inflicted, continues to reverberate through the prison system and beyond.

The details of the attack are stark. Russell, a prisoner in his mid-40s, is currently being held as a suspect, though formal charges are still pending. The incident unfolded with brutal efficiency, reportedly involving up to six blows to the skull. The severity of Huntley’s injuries is undeniable, a testament to the fury unleashed upon him.

This isn’t the first time Huntley has faced a violent attack within prison walls. In 2010, he was slashed across the neck with a homemade blade, the attacker openly expressing a desire for his death. The prison environment, a breeding ground for resentment and retribution, has consistently placed Huntley in harm’s way.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (439413b) IAN HUNTLEY INTERVIWED BY POLICE IN AUGUST 2002 AFTER HOLLY WELLS AND JESSICA CHAPMAN WENT MISSING. IAN HUNTLEY DENIED HAVING ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE GIRLS AT THIS POINT IN THE INTERVIEW. SOHAM TRIAL- MURDER OF HOLLY WELLS AND JESSICA CHAPMAN, OLD BAILEY, LONDON, BRITAIN - 17 DEC 2003

The case echoes other instances of prison violence, including the death of Ian Watkins, a former musician convicted of child sexual offenses, following an alleged attack. Just recently, Damien Bendall, a killer of his own family, attempted to murder another inmate with a claw hammer. These incidents highlight the volatile and dangerous reality of life behind bars.

The memory of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remains a haunting presence. Their disappearance, the desperate search, and the eventual discovery of their bodies sent shockwaves through the nation. Huntley’s crimes robbed two families of their daughters and left an indelible scar on the collective consciousness. The attack on Huntley, while a consequence of his actions, serves as a chilling reminder of the enduring pain and anger surrounding this tragic case.

Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Anthony Russell, 39, of Riley Square, Coventry, who had murdered three people in six days has been convicted of raping his final victim, who was five months pregnant. Anthony Russell had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of 58-year-old Julie Williams and her son David Williams, 32, at separate flats in Coventry on October 25 and October 21 2020 respectively. He had also admitted the October 26 murder of 31-year-old Nicole McGregor, who was found in woodland near Leamington Spa three days later. Issue date: Thursday March 10, 2022. PA Photo. After a retrial at Warwick Crown Court, Russell was unanimously found guilty on Thursday of raping Ms McGregor, after just an hour and 23 minutes of deliberations by the jury. See PA story COURTS Coventry. Photo credit should read: West Midlands Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.