MP seeks assurances over killer’s release

ASSURANCES are being sought from the new Secretary of State for Justice over the release of Leicestershire killer Colin Pitchfork.

David Gauke MP was handed the justice brief as Prime Minister Theresa May shuffled her cabinet this week.

After previously lobbying former prisons minister Sam Gymia MP over the killer’s temporary release last November, South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa (Cons) will now seek safety assuarnaces from Mr Gauke.

Pitchfork, 56, originally from Newbold Verdon, raped and killed Leicestershire schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in 1983 and 1986.

Now, after serving his 28-year sentence, he is in HMP Leyhill, an open prison in Gloucestershire, and is due for release.

Authorities are allowing him out on the streets for up to six hours at a time to prepare for life as a free man.

In light of the Parole Board’s recent decision to release the convicted serial sexual offender John Worboys and the comments made by the Chairman of the Parole Board, Nick Hardwick, in which he argued for greater clarity in the parole process, Mr Costa intends to raise the Pitchfork case with the Justice Secretary to ensure that all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure the safety to the public.

Mr Costa said: “I have previously raised the matter of Colin Pitchfork’s heinous crimes and his temporary release on license with the former Prisons Minister on several occasions, however given the recent John Worboys case and the subsequent discussions around greater clarity in the parole process, I feel compelled to again raise this matter with the new Justice Minister”.

Mr Costa added: “Colin Pitchfork’s crimes are understandably a matter of great concern to my constituents in South Leicestershire and as such, I intend to write to the Justice Minister and raise this matter in the House of Commons in order to ensure that all appropriate measures have been followed relating to his release and that the crucial subject of public safety has been fully taken into account”.

Pitchfork was the first murderer to be convicted using DNA technology.

The murders shocked the county with a reenactment of the last known movements of second victim Dawn Ashworth televised by soon-to-be axed BBC show Crimewatch in July 1986.

The baker, then 27, dumped both bodies within a mile of each other in Narborough. One of the attacks took place as his baby son slept in the back of his car nearby.

News of his release has caused controversy despite him being considered a model prisoner.

More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition, set up by Lynda’s family, to call for his release to be blocked.

A further 7,000 signed a paper version.

Lynda’s family believe he should remain locked up and have been horrified by his increasing freedoms.

However, Pitchfork is not allowed anywhere in Leicestershire or to knowingly approach any of the girls’ relatives.

When the news of his release was made public in June, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said they could not comment on individual cases, but added all offenders had to meet strict criteria and pass a full risk assessment before being considered for release on temporary licence (ROTL).