Parole Board asked to reconsider decision to allow child murderer and rapist’s prison release

The Justice Secretary has intervened in the case of double child murderer and rapist Colin Pitchfork, asking the Parole Board to reconsider its decision to release him from prison.

The Parole Board ruled in June that Pitchfork, jailed for life for raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986, could be freed after 35 years in prison.

Alex Chalk, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, said on Monday that after “careful assessment” he wants this decision to be reconsidered.

He said: “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.”

It follows strong criticism of the Parole Board decision by South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa, who said last month he was “deeply disappointed” the Parole Board had decided to release Pitchfork and would be writing to the Justice Secretary “to ask that he seek an immediate and urgent review”.

Pitchfork, now in his 60s, was the first murderer to be convicted using DNA evidence and was given a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, later reduced to 28 years for good behaviour.

Originally released in September 2021, he was back behind bars two months later for breaching the licence conditions of his release.

The Parole Board decision to free him again, following a hearing in April, was met with despair by friends and family of his victims.

Lin Garner, a friend of Dawn’s mother Barbara, told the BBC in June: “It’s hard to put into words how we feel.

“I know the torture they have gone through and now they are going through it over and over again. It makes you feel so despairing.

“Both families must be going through hell again. We know there are rules but following the rules doesn’t make it right.”

Pitchfork, a father of two who worked as a baker, raped and strangled 15-year-old Lynda Mann in Narborough in November 1983.

Three years later and less than a mile from the scene of the first attack, he raped and murdered Dawn Ashworth, also 15, of Enderby.

Pioneering DNA profiling, developed at the University of Leicester, ruled out an initial suspect in the police investigation and eventually led to the conviction of Pitchfork.

At his trial at Leicester Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to both rapes and murders, and the sexual assault of two other girls.

He was jailed for life in January 1988 with a minimum term of 30 years.

The Lord Chief Justice at the time, Lord Lane, said: “From the point of view of the safety of the public I doubt if he should ever be released.”