Triple Murderer Ian Huntley Left With Metal Pole Lodged in Head After Prison Attack at HMP Frankland

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Ian Huntley, the convicted killer responsible for the deaths of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, has been seriously injured in a prison assault that left a spiked metal pole lodged in his head, according to UK media reports.

Huntley, 52, was attacked by another inmate in a workshop area at HMP Frankland, a high-security Category A prison in County Durham.

Shocking Details of the Assault

Witnesses and reports describe how Huntley was struck repeatedly with the spiked metal rod, suffering severe head trauma. Following the assault:

• An inmate was restrained and held in detention pending further investigation.

• Huntley was taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

• A police investigation has been launched, with detectives working closely with prison staff.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were scrambled to the scene, though Huntley was ultimately transported by road, according to North East Ambulance Service.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary confirmed that a male prisoner in his mid-40s is being held in connection with the incident but has not yet been formally arrested.

Police and Prison Service Response

A force spokesperson said:

“Police were alerted to an assault which took place within HMP Frankland… A male prisoner suffered serious injuries during the incident and was transported to hospital.”

Officials from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service acknowledged the assault and work with police.

Huntley’s Infamous Crimes

Huntley’s crime shocked the nation when, in August 2002, 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman disappeared from the quiet town of Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Huntley — then a caretaker at Soham Village College — lured the girls into his home, murdered them and dumped their bodies in a ditch. Their disappearance and subsequent deaths became one of the most notorious cases in recent British criminal history.

At trial, prosecutors described Huntley as “ruthless” and said his accounts of what happened were deliberate lies. He was convicted in December 2003 and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years, meaning he is not eligible for parole until 2042.

Previous Attacks Behind Bars

This is not the first time Huntley has been seriously injured in prison:

• 2005: He was burned with boiling water during an earlier attack at HMP Wakefield.

• 2010: While at Frankland, he was slashed across the throat with a razor blade in another inmate assault.

Huntley was transferred to HMP Frankland in 2008 due to concerns for his safety.

Ongoing Investigation

Durham Police have confirmed that detectives are investigating the latest assault and liaising with prison officers. They are reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses, while Huntley remains under medical care.

No further details about the motive or suspects have been released at this stage as inquiries continue.