Soham killer Ian Huntley put himself at risk of attack after putting on weight in prison, it has been claimed. Durham Constabulary said Huntley remains in a serious condition in hospital after he was attacked in the workshop of a maximum security jail by an inmate with a metal bar.

According to reports, triple killer Anthony Russell was detained after Huntley, 52, was repeatedly smashed over the head at HMP Frankland, Durham, on Thursday morning. The force declined to identify the suspect but said on Thursday that a man in his mid-40s had been detained in the prison, but had not yet been arrested. It has been claimed that by gaining weight, Huntley has been out of his cell more for exercise sessions which has drawn greater attention to him.

A source told the Daily Mail: “Huntley’s best chance of remaining safe from attack by other prisoners has always been to keep his head down as much as possible.

“But last year he put himself in a position where he drew attention to himself.

“He had gained so much weight that a diet and exercise regime had to be worked out for him which involved him having PT sessions to try to slim him down to a healthier size.

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“More movement around the prison estate means more people notice you and in Huntley’s case that’s bad news.”

These claims have not been independently verified by the Express.

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

Russell was sentenced to a whole life tariff in 2021 for the murders of Julie Williams, 58, and her son David Williams, 32, at separate flats in Coventry, and pregnant 31-year-old Nicole McGregor, who was found in woodland near Leamington Spa three days later.

Russell also raped Ms McGregor.

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.

In 2010, robber Damien Fowkes slashed him with a home-made weapon, causing 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”.

Huntley is serving a life sentence with a recommendation that he serves at least 40 years for the Soham murders.