Soham killer 'in line for payout'

Soham murderer Ian Huntley could be awarded £20,000 compensation after his throat was allegedly slashed during an attack in prison, reports suggest. Huntley may sue the Prison Service for negligence, according to media reports after the attack by a fellow prisoner left him needing hospital treatment. The 36-year-old's throat was reportedly slashed during an assault in Frankland Prison, County Durham, where he is serving two life sentences for murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. The Prison Service said Huntley's current state is not life-threatening. A spokesman said: "A prisoner at HMP Frankland was assaulted by another prisoner at about 3.25pm on Sunday March 21. The prisoner was taken to outside hospital for treatment but has now returned to prison." Prison officials launched an investigation into what happened. It was reported that Huntley's throat was slashed with a makeshift knife, and the child killer was found by prison staff lying in a pool of blood. He was convicted in December 2003 of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who were both 10, after they vanished from their homes in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. The murder of the two girls sent shockwaves across the country. Huntley was given two life terms after being convicted of the girls' murders. Maxine Carr was jailed after being convicted of perverting the course of justice and has now been released from prison. Meanwhile, the stepson of the man reported to have slashed Hutley's throat said he "did it for Holly and Jessica". Damien Fowkes, 34, from Northampton, was reportedly jailed for life in 2001 after carrying out a knifepoint robbery so he could get money for drugs. Fowkes's stepson Lewis told The Sun: "He did it for Holly and Jessica and I'd like to pat him on the back. Most people will think Damien is a hero. I think he should be given a medal. The only pity is he didn't do a better job." Fowkes's mother Jayne, 51, said her son has a daughter near the age of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Ms Fowkes told the newspaper: "He loves his daughter so much and I'm wondering if that's what set him off."(my view)-PRISONERS HAVE NO RIGHT..they automatically gave any up as soon as they commit the crime-plus it was an attack ie:attacks are surprise GBH's or killings....meaning the officers had no prior information of the attack,plus prisoners have no rights to sue for attacks that are that...ATTACKS-they have no rights to sue....PERIOD!they have no rights what so ever