Wakefield Express reporter Andrew Jackson has been steadily building local contacts who have secured him an exclusive on Soham murderer Ian Huntley’s life inside Wakefield prison.
Mark Bradley, group editor of the Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group, told Press Gazette: “Although there had been stories based on rumour about Huntley’s prison life, it was important for the Express to be able to hear and report it from ‘the horse’s mouth’.”
Jackson learned from prison sources and Huntley’s family about the death threats from fellow prisoners to former school caretaker Huntley, who killed 10-year-olds Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. Huntley has been afraid to venture into the prison exercise yard for fear of his life.
Huntley was told recently that he would no longer be receiving special protection. He told worried relatives: “I’ve got to take the plunge some time (to go out) and see how it goes.”
Bradley said: “In these days of hefty sums changing hands for stories, it is good to know that a bit of old-fashioned relationship building with contacts can be just as effective.”
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