Double-child killer Colin Pitchfork can be released from prison

Double-child killer and rapist Colin Pitchfork can be released from prison, the Parole Board has confirmed, saying it is “no longer necessary for the protection of the public” to keep him behind bars.

It said in its decision: “The prisoner had committed shocking, serious offences, causing immeasurable harm to his victims.

“However, the Parole Board’s role, as required by law, is to undertake a risk assessment. The panel noted that Mr Pitchfork has been in prison for a very long time. His behaviour for almost all of that time has not caused any concern.

“He has made constructive use of his time and is now 63 years old. In general, age tends to reduce risk.

1/ Deeply disappointed that the Parole Board have decided to release the convicted child killer Colin Pitchfork.

I would like to reassure constituents that I will be writing to the Justice Secretary to ask that he seek an immediate and urgent review.https://t.co/7RMffOf2ml

— Alberto Costa MP (@AlbertoCostaMP) June 15, 2023

“Mr Pitchfork has completed many courses satisfactorily and the evidence before the panel demonstrated that he had learnt the lessons that he had been taught and had worked out how to apply them in practice.

“Accordingly, the panel determined that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public for Mr Pitchfork to remain confined and thereby directed his release.”

The Parole Board said Pitchfork could be released subject to several conditions, including to comply with requirements to live at a designated address, to be of good behaviour, surrender his passport, attend supervision appointments and disclose any developing relationships.

Pitchfork must also submit to enhanced supervision including GPS tagging and a specified curfew.

He will need to comply with an unspecified exclusion zone to avoid contact with victims, women and children.

South Leicestershire MP ‘deeply disappointed’ to see Pitchfork be released

Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire where the teenagers were killed, said he was “deeply disappointed” by the Parole Board’s decision and said he thought Pitchfork still presented “a very real danger to the public”.

He wrote on Twitter: “Deeply disappointed that the Parole Board have decided to release the convicted child killer Colin Pitchfork.

“I would like to reassure constituents that I will be writing to the Justice Secretary to ask that he seek an immediate and urgent review.

“It is simply unthinkable that a man who committed such egregious crimes should ever be released, and I will be asking the Government to challenge this decision in the strongest possible terms.

“It is quite clear to many, not only in South Leicestershire, but the country that this man still presents a very real danger to the public and I will do all I can to challenge this decision.

“My thoughts remain with the families of Lynda and Dawn at this most difficult time.”

Following the decision that Colin Pitchfork can be released, a spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “A panel of the Parole Board, including two judges, has today directed the re-release of Colin Pitchfork following his recall to custody in November 2021.

“Having considered all of the evidence, during a hearing observed by the victims and the local Member of Parliament, the panel found that Mr Pitchfork’s recall to custody was flawed and not supported by the evidence.

“Separately, the panel found that the prisoner’s continued detention was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.

“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority, however our sole focus in law is risk, not punishment, and must be based on evidence.

“This case is eligible for reconsideration if any party thinks the decision is irrational or unfair.”

What crimes did Colin Pitchfork commit?

Colin Pitchfork was jailed for life after he raped and strangled two 15-year-olds, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.

He was given a minimum term of 30 years, later reduced to 28 years due to the progress he had made in prison and was released in September 2021.

Colin Pitchfork was recalled back to prison in 2021

Pitchfork was recalled back to prison in November 2021 for breaching licence conditions just two months after previously being released.

The Parole Board also said the decision to recall Pitchfork to prison in November 2021 was “flawed”.

In its report, the Parole Board said: “The panel, having considered all the evidence, ultimately concluded that the decision to recall Mr Pitchfork to custody was flawed, being made on the basis of some of the allegations not being proved and upon some incorrect information.

“The panel accepted that when dealing with someone who has committed such appalling crimes as Mr Pitchfork has, that very little leeway can be allowed to him before recall is considered.

“Even allowing for that consideration, the panel found that the decision to recall Mr Pitchfork was, for the most part, based on unsubstantiated, inaccurate and misleading information.

“The panel was not satisfied that the decision to recall Mr Pitchfork to custody was appropriate.”