HUNTLEY 'IS FIT' TO FACE TRIAL

DOCTORS at Rampton are ready to declare that Ian Huntley is fit to stand trial for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

They have been studying the 28-year-old former school caretaker's behaviour round-the-clock for nearly three weeks. And they have decided that they can advise the police that he can be put before a jury.

A source said last night: "Huntley has been under constant observation since he came in three weeks ago. He has been looked at 24-hours a day by a highly trained team of doctors who have formed the view he can stand trial.

"Ultimately, the Crown Prosecution Service will decide if the case goes to court. But the message from Rampton is that the legal process can go ahead."

A Cambridgeshire police source added: "We have been liaising closely with Rampton and the information we are getting makes us confident that he will go before a jury." Huntley was sent to the secure hospital in Nottinghamshire in the early hours of August 20 under section 2 of the Mental Health Act.

Later that day detectives visited Rampton and formally charged him with the two murders.

Huntley will stay at Rampton until at least September 17 while psychiatrists continue their assessments.

His solicitor Roy Foreman yesterday refused to comment. A Rampton Hospital spokesman was unavailable.

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