Ian Huntley has his throat slashed

The killer of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman suffers serious injuries after a brutal prison attack

The notorious Soham killer, Ian Huntley, was in hospital last night after having his throat slashed by a fellow prisoner.

Huntley, who is currently serving life for the murder of 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, was attacked with a ‘homemade implement' during a fight at Frankland jail, County Durham.

The alarm was raised when screams were heard at 3.25pm yesterday. At

first, it was believed he would not pull through. 

He is now being guarded in a prison hospital bed as he recovers from his injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.

‘It was horrific,' says a prison source. ‘There was blood everywhere. It was the worst thing I have ever seen. I thought there was no way he could survive.'

Huntley, 36, is one of the country's most high-risk prisoners, suffering a string of attacks since he was convicted in 2003. It is reported that he is only allowed to mix with certain inmates who have passed the appropriate ‘risk assessment'.

As well as suffering a string of assaults, Huntley has made three attempts to take his own life with antidepressant pills. His cell, which is under constant CCTV surveillance, contains photographs of his ex-lover Maxine Carr, with whom he is said to be obsessed.

Police are now investigating how a prisoner, who is supposed to be under constant surveillance for his own safety, was in a position to be stabbed by another inmate.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE BREAKING WORLD NEWS