Soham killer Ian Huntley was found in a pool of blood after being attacked with a metal pole at HMP Frankland. Inmates allegedly despised him over a red shirt with number 10 thought to reference his victims Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman
File photo of Ian Huntley
Ian Huntley was reportedly 'ambushed in a prison workshop'(Image: PA)
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Soham killer Ian Huntley infuriated fellow inmates by donning a Manchester United-style shirt and had clashed with his attacker prior to being savagely beaten behind bars, it has been claimed.
The 52 year old monster sparked outrage by sporting a plain red football top bearing the number 10 on the back, believed to be a twisted nod to his 10 year old victims Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who were wearing matching Man United shirts at the time he murdered them.
He had reportedly also been at loggerheads with alleged attacker Anthony Russell in the weeks leading up to the frenzied assault, and was said to have been attempting to intimidate him. Russell, a rapist and triple murderer, is reported to have screamed "I've done it, I've killed him" following his attack on Huntley in a prison workshop.
Huntley – serving two life sentences for the murders of Holly and Jessica in 2002 – was discovered lying in a pool of blood at 9am on Thursday, having been beaten within an inch of his life with a metal pole.
The double child killer was despised behind bars both for his heinous crimes and his arrogance, with numerous hardened criminals reportedly queuing up to get their hands on him. Fellow prisoners are said to have loathed Huntley for his behaviour, including the sickening football shirt stunt, reports the Daily Star.
An individual wearing a beige shawl is being assisted by another person in a black jacket, while another person, dressed in a blue hoodie, stands nearby.
Soham Killer Ian Huntley leaves Wakefield Hospital after a previous incident in 2006 (Image: Daily Mirror)
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Inmates are prohibited from wearing replica kits of supported teams due to the potential for conflict, yet Huntley had reportedly purchased one "as close to a Man United top as possible" and had been "strutting about" HMP Frankland whilst wearing it. Bitterness mounted over allegations of preferential treatment, as he spent the majority of his time as an "enhanced" status prisoner enjoying additional perks.
His cell was positioned close to a guards' office, and staff accompanied him whenever he moved through the jail to ensure his safety.
However, Russell, 43, allegedly seized an opportunity to strike when Huntley was permitted to attend a recycling workshop on the notorious prison's A-wing. The assault occurred weeks after the pair had supposedly clashed when their cells were adjacent to one another.
A prison insider revealed to the Sun it was "only a matter of time" before Huntley faced an attack, stating: "If it had not been Anthony Russell, it would have been someone else. But people are still amazed that Russell was able to get to him and do this.
"Huntley would have three or four officers with him most of the time because he was such a target. It was no secret that loads of inmates wanted to get to him and that is why he was guarded so closely.
"But Huntley was a cleaner until recently, which meant he was always on the wing around officers. He had only been allowed to go to the workshop in the last few weeks and that decision sealed his fate."
Huntley was airlifted to hospital where his condition was described as "touch and go". Following his murder conviction, he received a life sentence in 2003, with instructions to serve a minimum of four decades in custody, and was informed by judges he had "little or no hope" of release.