Soham murderer Ian Huntley reportedly enraged fellow inmates by wearing a Manchester United-style shirt and had a confrontation with his assailant before being brutally attacked in prison. The 52-year-old offender caused outrage by sporting a plain red football shirt with the number 10, believed to be a reference to his victims, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who were wearing similar Man United shirts when he killed them.
Prior to the violent assault, Huntley had been in conflict with his alleged attacker, Anthony Russell, who is a convicted rapist and triple murderer. Russell allegedly shouted, “I’ve done it, I’ve killed him,” after the attack on Huntley in a prison workshop. Huntley, serving life sentences for the 2002 murders, was found severely beaten with a metal pole, lying in a pool of blood on Thursday morning.
Despised by fellow inmates for his heinous crimes and arrogance, Huntley was targeted for wearing the football shirt and receiving special treatment in prison. Despite rules prohibiting inmates from wearing team replica kits, Huntley managed to acquire one resembling a Manchester United jersey and flaunted it around the prison. He was closely monitored by guards due to safety concerns, with his cell strategically located near a guards’ office.
The assault on Huntley occurred during a workshop session in the prison’s A-wing, weeks after clashes with Russell. An insider at the prison revealed that it was inevitable for Huntley to be attacked given his status as a target among inmates. Huntley’s condition was described as critical after being airlifted to a hospital following the assault.
Having received a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years to serve, Huntley was told by judges that his chances of release were bleak. The incident has raised questions about the security measures in place to protect high-profile prisoners like Huntley within the penal system.
