Mum of Colin Pitchfork victim begs he is never released ahead of freedom bid
The heartbroken mum of Colin Pitchfork's teenage victim has begged that he is never released, saying: "I don't want anyone else to suffer like me."
The double killer - who was jailed in 1988 - will make a fresh bid for freedom in weeks after a judge demanded a fresh Parole Board review of his case. Pitchfork killed Lynda Mann, 15, in Narborough, Leicestershire, in 1983, and Dawn Ashworth, also 15, in nearby Enderby in 1986.
He was released on licence in 2021, then recalled two months later over claims he approached a woman while litter picking. But the parole hearing decided the recall was flawed and that his good behaviour in jail showed he was no longer a threat to public safety.
The decision to free him was paused after a judge ordered parole chiefs to take another look at the case. Now Pitchfork will appear for a two-day hearing on October 2 and 3 where he will argue he should be released.
Dawn Ashworth was murdered by Pitchfork in 1986 (Mirrorpix)But Dawn's mum, Barbara Ashworth, last night said: "He's wicked, words fail me. He's most definitely ruined my life, I don't want him to do the same to anyone else. I don't want anyone else to go through the pain that I've been through because he still poses a risk. I'm only happy when I know he's in prison. We never want him released, he's caused so much damage to our lives."
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And Lynda's sister, Rebecca, who has campaigned to block his release, wrote online: "This is a fresh new hearing, different parole board members starting again from the beginning. Fingers crossed." Pitchfork was denied parole in 2016 and 2018 after being branded a danger to the public.
He was released in September 2021 but was back in jail two months later after breaching the licence conditions of his release. In June this year [2023] Pitchfork was given the green light to leave jail. However Justice Secretary Alex Chalk asked parole chiefs to rethink their decision, before a fresh panel was asked to re-examine the case.
Robin and Barbara Ashworth pictured (Mirrorpix)Pitchfork was the first murderer convicted using DNA and was jailed for life in 1988. He was handed a minimum term of 30 years but later had it reduced to 28 years for good behaviour. A Parole Board spokesperson said: "An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Colin Pitchfork and is scheduled to take place in October 2023.
"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.
“The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
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