A PRISONER with a hatred of child killers turned round and asked ‘Is he dead? I hope so’ after chasing and then slashing Soham murderer Ian Huntley across the neck.

Damien Fowkes, 36, already serving a life sentence for armed robbery, was given a second life sentence today and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years for the attempted murder of the Cambridgeshire killer and for the manslaughter of child killer Colin Hatch.

Fowkes admitted attempting to murder Huntley and also to the manslaughter of Hatch.

In court Fowkes was said to have strong psychopathic traits but was considered too dangerous for a secure mental unit.

Hull Crown Court heard how Huntley had been chased around the hospital wing at Frankland Prison by Fowkes armed with a razor which he had secured to a plastic utensil.

Fowkes said he had planned the attack on Huntley for several weeks: the assault left the murderer of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002 with a 7 inch gaping wound in his neck which needed 21 stitches.

After he had attacked Huntley and upon being told he hadn’t killed him, Fowkes told prison officers: “I wish I had.”

Fowkes was guarded by five officers during this week’s court appearance. At one stage he was wearing an Arsenal shirt and kissed the badge before gesturing to newsmen in court.

Huntley has launched a six figure damages claim following the attack.