View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
June 10, 2004updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Wakefield Express gets exclusive on Soham murderer

By Press Gazette

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.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network