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Colin Pitchfork case

Source #1: https://www.theguardian.com/uknews/2025/oct/- 30/killer-colin-pitchfork-plea-release-prison-rejected Pitchfork was sentenced to be in prison for life with a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, and was supposedly later reduced to 28 years, for raping and murdering two 15 year old in 1983, 15 year old Lynda Mann was raped and murdered and in 1986, 15 year old Dawn Ashworth was also raped and murdered. In December 2023, the Parole Board ruled (decided) that Pitchfork should not be released from jail, but Pitchfork, trying to avoid staying in jail longer had appealed against the decision and on Monday it was announced that he supposedly been successful and had to face a new hearing

The mother of one of Colin Pitchfork's victims had expressed her anger right after the rapist and also murder won the appeal for a supposed fresh parole hearing which was when the parole people would decide if he should be released from jail or if he should stay there longer.  After wards Pitchfork was released on a conditional licence in September 2021, promoting an outcry, and ended up being recalled to jail two months later after breaching Pitchfork's licence conditions. The BBC had reported that Pitchfork was approaching young women while walking from his bail hostel, and Pitchfork ended up getting arrested after the probation staff had raised some concerns about his behaviour.

Alex Chalk who was the justice secretary at this time was seeking an important meeting with the Parole Board following the information that Pitchfork was gonna be granted a new hearing with a different panel of board members. The government source had said "It is deeply concerning that having made one flawed choice, the Parole Board had made another, causing immense distress to the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth". The government source also had said that "They were again left with no certainty and the Lord chancellor had sought an urgent  meeting with the Parole Board". 

Barbara Ashworth who was the mother of Dawn Ashworth, had told the PA Media that "Words fail me now. He seems to want to fight no matter what". And She had also said that "I don't know where to go next to be honest. He had killed two schoolgirls. I know what I'd do, I'd throw away the key". In a statement, the Parole Board had said that Pitchfork's appeal was successful as "the prison offender manager's recommendation" had needed to be taken into account during the hearing and it was decided that the panel's "reasoned decision did not do so". "The reconsideration member had directed that Pitchfork's case had been reheard by a fresh panel of three 

Parole Board members," it had said. "This panel had completed its own review of Pitchfork's case which included the hearing oral evidence and also the decision of whether Pitchfork would meet the legal test for his release or not meet the legal test for his release and that the release could only had been directed by the Parole Board if the new panel is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that Pitchfork would remain confined in prison". Alberto Costa who was the Conservative MP for the South Leicestershire, where the murders had took place, accused the Parole Board of making "an irrational decision".

He also had explained that once more the Parole Board had demonstrated its "utter inability" to appropriately deal with Pitchfork who was a dangerous man that they must never forget the two 15 year old schoolgirls who were raped and murdered, He also added that Pitchfork's "limitless" amount of appeals that was "getting to the point of madness". The MP had also explained that he planned to apply for Pitchfork's parole hearing to take place in the public to ensure proper scrutiny of the decision. The Parole Board chair, which at the time was Caroline Corby had rejected a similar request meaning that the recent hearing had taken place behind closed doors.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson had explained that their "heartfelt sympathies" had remained with the families of the two 15 year old schoolgirls who were raped and murdered at that difficult point in time and that the government was reforming the parole system to add a ministerial  had checked on the release of the most dangerous criminals, and on top of that they were working on changing the law so that way if there was a murder and/or raper or even both would have no choice to stay in jail for life if they were sentenced to be in jail for life.

Source #2: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-66985173

*In November 1983 Pitchfork had left his baby son sleeping in the back of his car and had raped and had also strangled 15 year old Lynda Mann in Narborough. He had then gone home and had put his son to bed.

*Three years later, less than a mile from where Lynda was killed, Pitchfork raped and had murdered Dawn Ashworth who was also 15, of Enderby. The pathologist who had examined her body had described that there was a "brutal sexual assault". Etc.

   The "double child' murder and rapist" Colin Pitchfork supposedly wasn't going to be released at least that was what the Parole Board had decided. Pitchfork was sentenced to life for not only raping but also strangling two 15 year old girls and they where Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986. After Pitchfork was released and then ended being recalled in 2021, the 63 year old had been granted yet another parole in June, but this choice had been challenged by ministers.

The Parole Board had made the decision against the idea of releasing Pitchfork. Pitchfork had been convicted of the first murder by using DNA evidence and he was arrested for a minimum of 30 years in 1988, but that was later decreased to 28 years because he having good behaviour. When Pitchfork had originally deemed suitable for his release in provisional for about 21 days which was during the time Pitchfork could appeal. Dawn's mother Barbara Ashworth had explained to the PA News agency that "she did not wish to formally comment until the 21 days had passed", but She also said that jail was "where Pitchfork needed to be". 

Philip Musson who was Dawn's Uncle had said that he was "hugely relieved" by the decision. He also had told the BBC: "I just breathe a sigh of relief for the community and the children and families he would have been reintroduced to had his parole claim been successful." After Pitchfork's release which was in September 2021, Pitchfork had received warnings for his attitude towards probation, and also for speaking to a lone woman in a car park. 

There had also been some concerns that Pitchfork wasn't complying with the polygraph tests which was a condition for his release. There was also a report that he was walking "aimlessly" in forest and park areas, that was claiming to be picking up litter. But after Pitchfork was recalled two months later, it had been established that he had not gone anywhere that he was not allowed to visit, and the polygraph condition had in fact been unlawful. The Parole Board had realized his recall was not appropriate.

	Earlier of the year 2021, the Parole Board had made the decision that Pitchfork was eligible to be released but there were the concerns of the danger he had posed had caused Justice Secretary: Alex Chalk to interfere, making what is known as an "application for reconsideration" in July. A judge, when asked to reconsider the June decision to release Pitchfork from jail, agreed it had been "irrational", which lead to a new panel hearing. The hearing took place over three days on October 2nd, October 3rd and November 6th. 

In a statement, the Parole Board had said: "After considering the circumstances of Pitchfork's offending, the progress made while in custody and on licence and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public. Nor did the panel had recommended to the Secretary of State that Pitchfork should be transferred to an open prison. In the panel's view, there had remained a need for Pitchfork to complete further work to address the identified risk factors in his case and it had determined that this work should be undertaken in a closed prison." 

It also added: "The panel was concerned that there was an absence of the current info about Colin Pitchfork's attitude towards sex, his thinking and his beliefs. Having explored this at the hearing, the panel could not be wholly satisfied whether the behaviours that caused Colin Pitchfork to offend were no longer present. The panel also identified concerns about his behaviour in prison since his recall and what it considered to be protracted and inconsistent explanations from Pitchfork about his time on licence. Having heard his evidence, the panel did not consider that he was being open and honest." The South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa had campaigned just to keep Pitchfork in jail. 

He said: "I am pleased with the Parole Board's new decision and I am grateful; to Alex Chalk MP, Justice Secretary, for listening to me and the people of South Leicestershire and applying to have this case reconsidered. This was welcome new for my constituents and the families of Dawn and Lynda, whose suffering will ultimately always out weigh Pitchfork's punishment." Colin Pitchfork and the grieving relatives of Dawn and Lynda had been informed of the choice, Mr Costa had added.  Alex Chalk had said: "I asked the Parole Board to reconsider the release of Colin Pitchfork this summer and I welcome their choice to keep him in jail". 

Alex Chalk had also said: "This government is clear that the offenders who have committed the most heinous crimes should be out the rest of their days in jail, that's why we are changing the law so that for society's most depraved murders, life means life."  At this point in time by law, the Secretary of the state had  to refer to Colin Pitchfork once more to the Parole Board in time for his next parole review, which had to be completed within two years.