There have been no changes in Huntley’s condition since he was attacked five days ago

The Soham murderer Ian Huntley is still “seriously ill” in hospital after being attacked in a maximum security prison five days ago. Huntley was attacked by an inmate with a metal bar in the workshop at HMP Frankland, near Durham on Thursday, February 26.

Durham Constabulary confirmed today (Tuesday, March 3) that there had been no changes in the 52-year-old’s condition. The force said: “There has been no change in the 52-year-old man’s condition overnight – he remains in hospital in a serious condition.”

After the attack, Huntley’s daughter Samantha Bryan, 27, told The Sun that “there’s a special place in hell waiting for him”. The former caretaker was given a life sentence which recommended he serve at least 40 years in prison for the murder of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on August 4 2002, PA reports.

It has been reported that triple killer Anthony Russell had shouted “I’ve done it, I’ve done it” after Huntley was attacked. The force has not confirmed the identity of the suspect but has said a man in his mid-40s was detained.

Russell was given a whole-life sentence after murdering Julie Williams, 58, her son David Williams, 32, and pregnant 31-year-old Nicole McGregor. Russell had also raped Ms McGregor.

This marks the second attack on Huntley, after his neck was slashed by Damien Fowkes using a home-made weapon, which left him needing 21 stitches. After the attack, Fowkes asked a prison officer: “Is he dead? I hope so.”

He had described Huntley as a “notorious child killer, both inside prison and in society in general”.