Vile double child-killer Colin Pitchfork could be FREED from prison as he faces fresh hearing
DOUBLE child rapist and murderer Colin Pitchfork will face a fresh parole hearing after successfully challenging a decision to keep him behind bars.
Pitchfork was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, later reduced to 28 years, for raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in 1983 and 1986 respectively.
The Parole Board met last year to decide whether he could be released and ruled in December he should not be freed.
But Pitchfork applied for the decision to be reconsidered and this has been granted, the Parole Board said on Monday.
It means he will face another parole hearing with a different panel of board members to decide if he can be freed from jail.
ANOTHER PAROLE HEARING
In a statement, the Parole Board said: “The decision refusing Mr Pitchfork’s release was eligible for reconsideration under the Parole Board Rules.
“This meant that the panel’s decision was provisional and that either Mr Pitchfork or the Secretary of State could make an application for reconsideration on the grounds that the decision not to release Mr Pitchfork had been irrational, procedurally unfair and/or there had been an error of law.
“Mr Pitchfork made an application for reconsideration in December 2023 and this was considered and granted by a reconsideration member of the Parole Board in February 2024.”
Pitchfork’s challenge was successful because the parole panel “had a duty to take the prison offender manager’s recommendation into account and to give adequate reasons for any disagreement with that recommendation” but the review concluded this had not happened.
The “complete re-hearing” will take place in due course, the Parole Board said, adding: “Release can only be directed by the Parole Board if the new panel is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that Mr Pitchfork remain confined in prison.
He’s killed two schoolgirls. I know what I’d do, I’d throw away the key
Dawn's mother, Barbara Ashworth
“Mr Pitchfork has, and will continue to, remain in prison until this case has fully concluded.”
Reacting to the news, Dawn’s mother, Barbara Ashworth, said: “Words fail me now.
“He seems to want to fight no matter what. I just don’t know where to go next to be honest.
“He’s killed two schoolgirls. I know what I’d do, I’d throw away the key.”
A Government source said: “It is deeply concerning that having made one flawed decision, the Parole Board have made another, causing immense distress to the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.
“They are again left with no certainty and the Lord Chancellor has sought an urgent meeting with the Parole Board.”
Pitchfork was the first person in the world to be arrested and convicted using DNA evidence.
He grew up in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, before moving to Littlethorpe when he got married.
He worked there as an apprentice baker and had two sons with his wife.
Pitchfork infamously left one son sleeping in the back of his car while he raped and murdered his first victim, Mann, before driving home and putting the baby to bed.
Prior to marrying his wife, Pitchfork had been convicted of indecent exposure and had been referred for therapy at a local hospital.
After being denied parole on two occasions, in 2016 and in 2018, the Parole Board deemed in June 2021 that Pitchfork was no longer a danger to the public.
He was released in July 2021 but was back in jail two months later after breaching the licence conditions of his release.
It was revealed that he had “sidled up” to young women while out on long walks and was arrested over “concerning behaviours” after being freed.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth at this difficult time.”