Colin Pitchfork to stay in prison after Parole Board’s decision to release double child murderer is put on hold

EVIL double child killer Colin Pitchfork will stay in prison – after the decision to release him was put on hold.

The Parole Board’s decision to release double child killer Colin Pitchfork will be re-examined by a fresh panel after the Justice Secretary asked for it to be reviewed.

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Alex Chalk was said to be “concerned” after he was given the green light to be released.

But now he will stay in while a whole fresh panel looks at the decision all over again.

The killer — who now goes by the name David Thorpe — carried out his crimes in Leicestershire.

South Leicestershire Alberto Costa wrote to Mr Chalk asking him to challenge the parole decision, describing it as “simply unthinkable”.

The MP tweeted on Thursday: “After very many years of campaigning, I am very relieved that the independent Parole Board has agreed with me that it would be in the public interest to keep double child rapist and murderer Colin Pitchfork in prison.”

Pitchfork, 63, raped and strangled Lynda Mann in 1983 and Dawn Ashworth, both 15, in 1986.

He was given a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, but later had it reduced to 28 years for good behaviour and left prison in September 2021.

The killer was recalled to prison two months later for approaching a lone female while litter picking.

However, last month, a Parole Board panel ruled that the decision to recall him to custody was flawed and that there was no evidence he was pretending to pick litter when he approached her.

In its ruling, the panel said Pitchfork’s behaviour for almost all his time in prison had not caused any concern and that it was no longer necessary for him to be locked up for the public’s safety.

The original decision will be reviewed by a fresh Parole Board panel after a judge granted the application for reconsideration on the grounds of irrationality.

The judge said the original panel’s task was a “particularly challenging and complex one”.

Announcing the review earlier this month, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said it was “vital” that dangerous offenders are kept behind bars.

He added: “My thoughts remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, whose lives were changed forever by the heinous crimes of Colin Pitchfork.

“My number one priority is public protection and after careful assessment I have asked the Parole Board to reconsider their decision to release him.

“It is absolutely vital that every lawful step is taken to keep dangerous offenders behind bars.”