‘He should not be breathing same air as us’
THE devastated mum of one of Colin Pitchfork’s victims has spoken out after the killer’s release from prison, writes Finvola Dunphy.
Barbra Ashworth, mother of Pitchfork’s second victim, Dawn, said: “Well, it was on the books that he was going to be released, but I don’t think he should be breathing the same air as us.”
Multiple bids to keep the murderer behind bars failed.
Barbra said: “It goes without saying that life should have meant life in his case, because he said he was guilty of the offences, the murders of both the girls… and he did a lot more besides.”
Pitchfork also raped and murdered Lynda Mann, who was also 15 at the time.
Asked if she was surprised Pitchfork had become eligible for release, Ms Ashworth said: “Yes, I think so.
“They did say that if it had been done today he wouldn’t have been let out. But that doesn’t excuse anything. I don’t have my daughter back or any of the hopes and dreams that she had in her life.
“She was my only daughter and you live your life through them and their future – but that was taken away.”
South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has said he was “extremely saddened and disappointed” at the convicted killer’s release.
Mr Costa, who represents the constituency which includes the villages where Lynda and Dawn lived, campaigned against Pitchfork’s release and had pleaded with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to intervene and demand that the Parole Board reconsidered its decision.
He said: “I am extremely saddened and deeply disappointed that the convicted child rapist and killer Colin Pitchfork has been released from prison.
“Since I was first elected MP for South Leicestershire, where Pitchfork’s heinous crimes took place, I have worked tirelessly on behalf of my constituents and countless others to oppose his release.
“While I respect the Parole Board’s decision to reject the government’s challenge against his release, I do not agree with it.
“In my view, Pitchfork still presents a very real danger to the public.”
The MP was successful in lobbying the government to challenge the
Parole Board’s initial decision to release the killer under the reconsideration mechanism that allows parole decisions to be formally reviewed if the decision to release a prisoner was viewed to be irrational or unreasonable. However, senior Parole Board judge His Honour Michael Topolski QC, ruled: “A highly experienced and expert panel comprising of two judicial and one psychologist member had in essence two questions to decide. “First, did the respondent need to remain in prison to complete any further offending work and, secondly, could his risk be safely managed in the community?
“I do not consider that the decision was irrational and accordingly, with my thanks to the parties for their submissions, the application for reconsideration is refused.”
Mr Costa said: “This case has made clear that the Parole Board’s opaque practices and processes must be reformed, and the system must work better for victims and their families.
“I very much look forward to helping to shape the system for the better in the government’s forthcoming root-and-branch review of the Parole Board.
“Questions will of course remain as to whether someone who has committed such heinous crimes should ever be released, in cases such as these where two innocent girls were murdered in the most horrendous fashion, life should simply mean life.
“My thoughts today, as ever, are with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.”