09/06/2003

Soham murder accused in hospital

It has been reported today that Ian Huntley, the man charged in connection with the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, has been taken to hospital following a "serious incident of self harm".

It is understood that Mr Huntley was taken to Milton Keynes General Hospital at around 4am this morning suffering the effects of a drugs overdose. It is not yet known how serious his condition is.

Ian Huntley, 29, from Soham in Cambridgeshire, was charged on August 20 2002 with the murder the two 10-year-old schoolgirls. He pleaded not guilty to their murder at the Old Bailey in London in April. However, Ian Huntley has admitted to one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

His former girlfriend Maxine Carr has also pleaded not guilty to charges of helping an offender and perverting the course of justice.

A date of October 6 has been set for the trial.

Holly and Jessica went missing whilst out walking in Soham on August 4.

Their bodies were later found near Lakenheath, Surrey, on August 17.

Both Huntley and Carr had worked at St Andrew's school where both the victims were pupils.

Mr Huntley was being held at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire.

(GMcG)

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