Ian Huntley assaulted in gaol

The BBC reports on an assault on Ian Huntley in gaol. The 36 year old was slashed across the throat with a knife. Huntley was convicted of murdering two young girls in December 2003.

Assault on prisoners by other prisoners are an unpleasant feature of the prison system. Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper was assaulted by another inmate at Broadmoor Hospital in 1998.

Ian Huntley might have a claim for compensation, if he could prove that the prison authorities could have prevented this assault. However any claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority would almost certainly be turned down, given the fact the scheme precludes claims by persons with a very serious criminal record.