Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old inmate serving a whole life term for murder, has been charged with the murder of Ian Huntley. Huntley was convicted in 2003 for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, two 10-year-olds who disappeared after leaving a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire.
Key Takeaways
Anthony Russell, a 43-year-old inmate serving a whole life term for murder, has been charged with the murder of Ian Huntley, who was convicted of killing two 10-year-olds in Soham. The incident occurred on February 26 when Huntley suffered severe head injuries after being attacked with an iron bar in the prison workshop.
- Anthony Russell appeared via video link from HMP Frankland at Teesside Crown Court
- Russell will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 24 for a pre-trial preparation hearing
- The court has no power to grant bail as Russell is already serving a whole life term for murder
The incident occurred on February 26 when Huntley suffered severe head injuries after being attacked with an iron bar in the prison workshop. He was taken to hospital and placed on a ventilator but died on March 7 after doctors withdrew his life support.
Russell appeared via video link from HMP Frankland at Teesside Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday. During the hearing before Judge Francis Laird KC, Russell confirmed his name and date of birth. He was not asked to enter a plea and will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 24 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
The court has no power to grant bail as Russell is already serving a whole life term for murder. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
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