Man accused of murdering Soham killer Ian Huntley appears in court

A man charged with murdering Soham child killer Ian Huntley has appeared in court.

Anthony Russell, 43, is charged with murdering 52-year-old Huntley at HMP Frankland, near Durham.

He appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday via videolink.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt while sitting at a table, Russell spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood he will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary previously said that "a man has been charged with murder following an incident at HMP Frankland in Durham".

The spokesperson said "emergency services were called to reports of an assault in the workshop" on the morning of 26 February.

The 52-year-old was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but died on 7 March.

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Huntley was convicted of the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in 2002.

He killed them after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets, then dumped their bodies in a ditch. In December 2003, he was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment.

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