Prisoner charged with Ian Huntley's murder appears in court

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

Anthony Russell, 43, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via videolink from HMP Frankland, near Durham, for a 10-minute preliminary hearing on Thursday.

Russell is charged with the murder of the 52-year-old, who was allegedly attacked at the maximum-security jail on 26 February.

Huntley, who was serving a life sentence for murdering two ten-year-old girls in Soham in 2002, died in hospital on Saturday.

During the hearing before Judge Francis Laird KC on Thursday, Russell confirmed his name and date of birth.

Russell was not asked to enter a plea, and was told there would be a pre-trial preparation hearing on 24 April.

He followed the court proceedings, while seated at a table in a conference room.

Judge Laird confirmed with Russell's defence lawyer, Tyrone Smith KC, that his client 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."

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Durham Constabulary announced on Tuesday that Russell had been charged with murder.

Huntley killed best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire.

He then dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles (16km) away.

The girls were not found for 13 days despite a search involving hundreds of police officers.

Huntley denied murdering the girls but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003.

He was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 40 years.

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