Colin Pitchfork could be released from jail over the rape and murder of Leicestershire schoolgirls

One of Britain’s most evil child killers Colin Pitchfork could be released from jail following a parole hearing next month.

Pitchfork – the first person ever to be snared by DNA evidence – was jailed for life in 1988 for raping and murdering 15-year-old Leicestershire schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in 1983 and 1986.

His parole hearing was due to take place this month but has been postponed. 

Pitchfork, known to police as a serial flasher, attacked the girls and dumped their bodies on dark, secluded footpaths located yards apart in Narborough. 

Pitchfork raped and strangled Lynda after dropping his wife off at an evening class and while his baby son slept in the back of his car.  Three years later he raped and murdered Dawn in a similar attack.

The killer was the first criminal to be caught by the revolutionary DNA profiling process pioneered by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester.  

Now, ahead of his hearing in December, MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa has expressed ‘huge concern’ to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board for England and Wales Martin Jones.

He said he met Mr Jones to reiterate the grave concerns of his constituents about Pitchfork’s potential release. 

Pitchfork’s case was most recently refused by the Parole Board in 2018.

Since then, he has been kept in an open prison.

In accordance with the law the Parole Board must review cases every two years.

Mr Costa has written to the Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland about his concerns.

Mr Costa said: ‘I am of course hugely concerned at the prospect of convicted child-killer Colin Pitchfork being released on parole. 

‘His abhorrent crimes cast a shadow over parts of South Leicestershire for many years, and while the tragic of murders of Lynda and Dawn were some decades ago, they continue to live long in the memory of many of my constituents.

‘I have consistently raised the issue of public safety with successive justice ministers, and with Pitchfork’s hearing now due on the horizon I was pleased to make further representations to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board for England and Wales’.

Mr Jones said: ‘I always value meeting MPs to discuss cases that have the potential to cause significant local concern so I can explain the work of the parole board and how we make our decisions.

‘While it is solely for the independent parole panel alone to assess all of the evidence before coming to their decision; the parole board will not give a direction for release unless it is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner be kept in prison.’

Mr Costa added: ‘I was very pleased to receive the Chief Executive’s assurances as to the robust processes in place at the parole board; and he has informed that a very experienced panel, headed by a former Crown Court Judge, will be giving careful consideration to Pitchfork’s case.

‘Clearly questions will remain as to whether someone who committed such heinous crimes should ever be released, and I have made my own submissions to the Parole Board on this subject.

‘I share my constituent’s most understandable concerns over the wider public safety in this case and I will of course continue to keep a close eye on further developments in order to ensure that any risk to my constituents and others is carefully managed.’