British child murderer Huntley sues prison service

Ian Huntley, a Briton serving a minimum 40-year jail term for murdering two young girls, is suing the prison service after he was attacked by another inmate, the Ministry of Justice has said.

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

The murders sparked one of Britain's biggest manhunts and caused widespread public revulsion.

Huntley, 36, is claiming that the prison service failed to care properly for him, the Ministry of Justice revealed late on Friday.

"Ian Huntley is bringing a claim against the Ministry of Justice following an assault by another prisoner," a spokesman said.

"The claim is currently being vigorously defended."

The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Huntley could claim nearly £100,000 (€120,000) in damages in a case that could cost tax payers more than one million pounds in legal fees.

Huntley is a former school caretaker who was given two life sentences in 2003. The 10-year-old girls he killed disappeared in the town of Soham, eastern England, in August 2002.

Huntley was arrested after their bodies were found in nearby countryside. During the trial he admitted to being responsible for the deaths, but said it was an accident.