Huntley was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after being assaulted at HMP Frankland

The alleged attacker of Ian Huntley reportedly shouted “I’ve done it, I’ve done it” following the assault on the Soham murderer with a metal pole at a high-security prison.

Durham Constabulary has confirmed that a prisoner, believed to be Huntley, was assaulted in the workshop of HMP Frankland near Durham on Thursday morning and subsequently taken to hospital.

The Sun, which initially reported the attack, stated that the killer was rendered unconscious with a metal pole and quoted a source describing his condition as “touch and go”.

According to the newspaper, a man exclaimed “I’ve done it, I’ve done it” after the 52 year old was struck six times. The Press Association understands Huntley was left lying in a pool of blood following the incident.

Huntley received treatment for head injuries and remains in a serious condition in hospital, the force announced on Thursday afternoon.

A prisoner in his mid-40s has been identified as a suspect in the attack, according to police.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “The 52-year-old prisoner who was injured during this morning’s assault in the workshop at HMP Frankland remains in a serious condition in hospital following treatment for head injuries.

“Police forensic teams have examined the scene of the attack throughout the day to gather evidence.

“A suspect, a male prisoner in his mid-40s, has been identified by officers investigating the incident.

“He has not been arrested at this stage but remains in detention within the prison.”

Former caretaker Huntley murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on 4 August 2002, before disposing of their bodies in a ditch.

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 makeshift weapon, inflicting 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”.