This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/humber/6168919.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Legal aid granted to Soham killer Legal aid granted to Soham killer
(about 3 hours later)
Soham killer Ian Huntley is to receive legal aid to fight a case against a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her when she was 11 years old.Soham killer Ian Huntley is to receive legal aid to fight a case against a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her when she was 11 years old.
Hailey Giblin, 20, believed she had won a civil case against him in October but has learned he will contest the action.Hailey Giblin, 20, believed she had won a civil case against him in October but has learned he will contest the action.
She says the attack was in Cleethorpes in 1997 - five years before he killed Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.She says the attack was in Cleethorpes in 1997 - five years before he killed Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
The Legal Services Commission said about £1,000 had been allocated to his solicitors to challenge the case.The Legal Services Commission said about £1,000 had been allocated to his solicitors to challenge the case.
"Ian Huntley has got legal aid and the case is ongoing," a spokesman said."Ian Huntley has got legal aid and the case is ongoing," a spokesman said.
"Ms Giblin is bringing a case against him and the money is to be used to defend that action." We cannot differentiate on the grounds that a decision may be unpopular in a particular case Legal Services Commission The spokesman went on: "Clearly this is a very sensitive case but we have a responsibility to provide funding for cases where the client meets a financial eligibility test and a legal merits test, which consider factors such as the case's likelihood of success. "Ms Giblin is bringing a case against him and the money is to be used to defend that action."
We cannot differentiate on the grounds that a decision may be unpopular in a particular case Legal Services Commission
The spokesman went on: "Clearly this is a very sensitive case but we have a responsibility to provide funding for cases where the client meets a financial eligibility test and a legal merits test, which consider factors such as the case's likelihood of success.
"We cannot differentiate between applicants for legal aid on the grounds that a decision to grant funding may be unpopular in a particular case.""We cannot differentiate between applicants for legal aid on the grounds that a decision to grant funding may be unpopular in a particular case."
The civil case, which Ms Giblin is bringing to court privately, is due to be heard at Manchester County Court on Thursday at 10am.The civil case, which Ms Giblin is bringing to court privately, is due to be heard at Manchester County Court on Thursday at 10am.
In 1997, then known as Hailey Edwards, she reported the alleged attack and officers interviewed Huntley but took no action due to a lack of evidence.In 1997, then known as Hailey Edwards, she reported the alleged attack and officers interviewed Huntley but took no action due to a lack of evidence.
Huntley, 32, who is serving a double life sentence in Wakefield Prison, west Yorkshire, for the murder of the two 10-year-olds, is understood to have initially filed no defence but changed his mind.Huntley, 32, who is serving a double life sentence in Wakefield Prison, west Yorkshire, for the murder of the two 10-year-olds, is understood to have initially filed no defence but changed his mind.
Ms Giblin said she was horrified that he was going to be given legal aid.Ms Giblin said she was horrified that he was going to be given legal aid.