UK child murderer to sue after prison attack

Huntley, who is serving a life sentence for killing schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, had his throat slashed in March.

He is now claiming that the prison service failed in their duty of care towards him.

“Ian Huntley is bringing a claim against the Ministry of Justice following an assault by another prisoner,” a Ministry of Justice spokesman said, adding that the claim was being “vigorously defended.”

It was reported on Friday that Huntley could win almost 100,000 pounds in damages, in a case which could cost the taxpayer more than 1 million pounds in legal aid fees.

The Daily Mail said Huntley was seeking 20,000 pounds for injuries, 60,000 pounds for authorities failing in their duty of care and 15,000 pounds through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

The former school caretaker, who murdered the 10-year-old friends in Cambridgeshire in 2002, was left scarred after allegedly being attacked with a razor blade at Frankland Prison, County Durham.

The news of his legal action prompted claims of a “compensation culture” arising in Britain's prisons.

Colin Moses, national chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA), said: “This fits right in with something we think is overtaking the prison service — a compensation culture from inmates.”

Moses said Huntley's claim should be considered against the level of compensation paid to prison staff who are attacked.

“We have just had a report produced which has found there are a higher number of attacks on staff than ever before,” he added.

“We have to fight for every penny we can for members, who are working in what is now a very violent place.”

Juliet Lyon, of the Prison Reform Trust, told BBC Radio 4's Today program: “The duty of care that prison staff have is a difficult one, but it is to hold people safely and securely, regardless of what they have done.

“The issue of compensation is a much more complicated one, but the issue of safety and security is a bedrock one ... If a court sentences someone to custody, they are not sentencing them to be attacked.”

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