Liar who gave woman chocolates ‘can be managed’
CONCERNS were raised about double-killer Colin Pitchfork’s “capacity to manipulate and deceive” during a bid to keep him behind bars.
Papers on the Parole Board decision to free him also disclose how, while out on temporary licence from jail, he gave a female shopworker chocolates and told her lies.
The board considered victim statements, evidence from Pitchfork and his probation officers, police and a psychologist before making a decision.
The panel found that at the time of his offending he used “violence and excessive force” and had a willingness to “seek revenge”. But behind bars he did a course to address his behaviour and had made “extensive efforts to help others”, including the disabled.
Senior Parole Board judge Michael Topolski, who considered the application to review the decision, found none of the professionals believed his capacity to manipulate “made him unsuitable for release”.
All agreed that strict licence conditions would be “effective in managing his risk in the community”.
Pitchfork reported the lie to the shopworker himself.The incident raised questions as to whether it was an “attempt at humour” or a “grandiose lie” suggestive of behaviour if released.
The original panel “did not express a view about this incident”.
Judge Topolski said “it might have been preferable if they had done so”, but said it was more evidence that Pitchfork be subject to lie-detector tests while on licence.
The decision mentions his “changed attitudes, insight into his offending, accepting of responsibility and motivation not to reoffend”, he added.
The board said it welcomed Justice Secretary Robert Buckland’s challenge of the killer’s release as a “safeguard”.