Huntley tells of life at Rampton

The man accused of the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman has sent a letter to a penfriend about his time locked away.

Ian Huntley tells how he and his lover Maxine Carr have written to each other since their arrest and details his life in Rampton high security hospital.

At one stage he complains: "It is infuriating not being able to defend myself against what they are saying. Don't believe what you read in the papers about this place hardly any is true, I know because I am allowed to watch and read news now."

Huntley, who was moved yesterday from Rampton - from where he sent the letter - to high security Woodhill prison after psychiatrists ruled he was now fit to stand trial, told the penfriend he received four letters from Carr on one day. She is in Holloway prison, north London, where she is being held on remand awaiting trial accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Huntley wrote: "Maxine is doing OK. Thank you. We write to each other regularly. I am writing to her again tomorrow. I got four letters from her today along with yours and some others."

He complains about the food at Rampton and tells how he has lost weight. "The papers say I have put on weight but in fact have lost nearly 2 stone. Soon I will vanish."

Huntley, 28, who is accused of killing Holly and Jessica, both 10, appeared at Peterborough crown court yesterday. It was his third appearance since his arrest on 17 August. The court heard he was not suffering from any form of mental illness and there was no reason why he should not now be moved from Rampton to prison.

In his letters, Huntley asked what was being reported on him. But he later wrote: "Don't worry about telling me the other stories. I don't need/want to know."

His two-page letter contains a couple of spelling mistakes, according to today's Daily Mirror. He thanks his correspondent for contacting him. "It amazes me how many people I don't even know take the time to write to me. I seem to have a bit of a fan club, which I find very strange under the circumstances."

He jokes with his correspondent who has apparently been made late for work by the police: "Bloody police, eh, no consideration. (Joke, laugh, 'coz I don't have many)."

He signs off: "Must go now, more letters to write. Take care, Ian."