Inmate appears at Crown Court charged with murder of Ian Huntley following attack in Durham prison
An HMP Frankland prison inmate accused of murdering child killer Ian Huntley has appeared at crown court.
Anthony Russell is accused of attacking Huntley with a makeshift weapon in the workshop of the Durham prison on Thursday February 26.
Former school caretaker Huntley was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where medics battled to save his life.
However, the double killer, who had suffered severe head injuries in the attack, died ten days later on Saturday March 7 after his life support machine was switched off.
At Teesside Crown Court today (March 12) Russell, 43, appeared dressed in a grey prison-issue sweatshirt and spoke only to confirm his date of birth.
There was no application for bail.
During the hearing before Judge Francis Laird KC, Russell confirmed his name and date of birth.
Sitting at a table in a conference room, he followed the proceedings in court.
He was not asked to enter a plea and was told there will be a pre-trial preparation hearing on April 24 at Newcastle Crown Court.
The judge confirmed with Tyrone Smith KC, defending, that Russell was on the link and cooperating fully with the proceedings.
Concluding the hearing, Judge Laird said: “Mr Russell, that is the end of the case today.
“You will next be before the court on April 24 and I direct you may attend that hearing remotely.
“If your lawyers feel there is merit in you being at Newcastle Crown Court then they will be at liberty to apply to the court administratively to ensure your attendance at that hearing.”
Russell replied: “Thank you.”
Prosecutor Matthew Bean KC said a trial could take five days although no date for that has yet been listed.
Tyrone Smith KC, defending Russell, told the court: "We will be asking for a psychiatric report."
Russell will appear at Newcastle Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing on April 24 and has been remanded in custody in the meantime.
Huntley sent shockwaves through the country when he murdered ten-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002.
The girls, who were best friends, were not found until 13 days later, after a large scale search involving 400 police officers as well a members of the public.
Huntley pleaded not guilty to the murders at the Old Bailey, but was convicted of both and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years.
His then-fiancée Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica's school, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after giving her partner a false alibi.
Huntley was attacked at around 9.30am on February 26 during a waste management workshop in the prison.
It was the third time he had been assaulted behind bars after his throat was slashed by armed robber Damien Fowkes in 2010, and boiling water was thrown over him by murderer Mark Hobson in 2005.
Earlier this week a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: "A man has been charged with murder following an incident at HMP Frankland in Durham.
"Emergency services were called to reports of an assault in the workshop on the morning of Thursday, February 26.
"Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died on the morning of Saturday, March 7.
"Anthony Russell, 43, of HMP Frankland, has been charged with murder and will appear via video link at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, March 11."