Ian Huntley’s grooming sufferer says ‘demise is straightforward means out’ as she begs for him to reside
The family of a woman who claims Soham killer Ian Huntley targeted her, are praying for his survival after a brutal prison attack left him fighting for his life in a coma
Ian Huntley is currently in a coma(Image: PA)
The distressed family of a girl preyed upon by Soham child killer Ian Huntley has begged medical professionals to save his life so he can continue to suffer in prison.
Former caretaker Huntley, currently fighting for his life following a savage prison assault, is alleged to have targeted the girl less than 10 years before he murdered 10-year-old best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002. Following the attack on him, the killer has reportedly been declared blind.
Now, as Huntley receives critical care in hospital after his skull was smashed by a fellow prisoner wielding a 3ft spiked metal pole, the woman’s family express their hopes for his recovery. A family member stated: “I hope he survives, I don’t want him to die. He needs to go back to prison so he can suffer for the rest of his life.”
A source close to the family said: “Death would be the easy way out.”
Huntley is serving a minimum of 40 years for the Soham murders in 2002. He enticed friends Holly and Jessica into the home he shared with Maxine Carr, their teaching assistant, after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets, reports the Mirror.
However, after he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2003, several women came forward alleging he had targeted them prior to committing the double murder. He is reported to have once locked a girl in a room and demanded sex.
It was also claimed that Huntley had sexual relations with a 15-year-old schoolgirl but when he discovered she was pregnant, he grabbed her by the throat and threatened: “I’ll kill you.'”.
A source said: “Huntley was convicted of killing Holly and Jessica but had a long history of offending before then. The girls he targeted will not shed a tear for him.”
Huntley and Carr were arrested on August 17 2002 – 13 days after Holly and Jessica went missing.
Huntley denied the murders and subjected the girls’ families to a traumatic six-week trial at the Old Bailey from November 2003. Huntley, now 52, is in an induced coma following a brutal attack from behind whilst crouching to secure string on a crate in a recycling workshop at HMP Frankland, Co Durham.
He is reported to have been struck up to 15 times with a metal pole whilst fellow prisoners looked on. The alleged perpetrator – triple murderer Anthony Russell – is said to have declared: “I’ve done it, I’ve done it! I’ve killed him, I’ve killed him!” whilst being escorted away in handcuffs.
Medical staff gave Huntley a 5% chance of surviving. Earlier this week, we reported that Huntley will not return to maximum-security Frankland should he recover from the devastating head trauma.
His wounds are so catastrophic that he will instead be transferred to Ashworth Hospital on Merseyside. A source said: “The most likely destination for him if he gets out of hospital is Ashworth. His injuries are such that he is unlikely to go back to Frankland, at least initially.”
Ashworth has faced criticism for its “cushy” approach.
It offers art and music sessions, pottery and cookery lessons, plus social activities like bingo nights and film screenings. Each patient is urged to participate in some form of social engagement as part of their daily therapy, with no one permitted to remain in isolation.
There are no metal doors, personnel are NHS staff who don’t don prison attire, and patients are encouraged to step outside and enjoy the expansive green surroundings. Accommodation features en-suite facilities, with patients having access to music devices and literature.
Huntley would receive treatment alongside more than 200 others detained under the Mental Health Act.
It costs taxpayers approximately £300,000 annually for each individual housed there, with residents treated as patients rather than inmates. When Huntley, who continues his stay at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, is considered sufficiently recovered to return to prison, he will do so.
