Justice Secretary: For the most dangerous offenders life in jail should mean life
CHILD rapist and killer Colin Pitchfork’s crimes were so bad he would die behind bars if he committed the murders now, Alex Chalk has declared.
The Justice Secretary fears the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth are going through hell as their daughters’ killer bids for freedom yet again.
Mr Chalk believes the Parole Board should have no say on whether the most dangerous criminals should be released.
And he said a ministerial veto of the worst murderers acts as a safety net for public safety.
Pitchfork, 63, lost his latest bid for freedom in December. But, having contested the decision, will now face a fresh parole hearing which could see him released from jail.
Sadistic
Mr Chalk told the Daily Express: “Colin Pitchfork’s crimes were so appalling that if he had been sentenced today – because of the changes we’ve made – it is overwhelmingly likely that life would mean life and he would never be getting out.
“All this business about parole hearings would simply not happen. I am really concerned about the fact that the families are being put through this, that there are two decisions by the Parole Board which have been overturned.
“We are concerned because it must be putting the families through torture.
“That is why I am arranging to meet the Parole Board urgently.”
Asked if he was concerned those panels are being hoodwinked by dangerous offenders, Mr Chalk said: “For the most dangerous offenders, the Parole Board should have no role at all.
“Because we think life should be life and that is why in our Sentencing Bill anybody who kills someone in the context of sexual, or sadistic behaviour could expect never to see the light of freedom again.
“That is why the cases like the Sarah Everard case, we would expect that those murderers never to get out.
“Even though the Parole Board, in the overwhelming majority of cases, makes sensible decisions in difficult circumstances, for the most dangerous offenders, it is right there is a ministerial step to have a second pair of eyes.
“That is just fair for British citizens. We want to protect the public.
“And we think that means ensuring there is a second look on these decisions.”
Pitchfork was jailed for life in 1988 after raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda in Leicestershire in 1983 and Dawn in the same county in 1986.
He became the first man convicted in the UK using DNA fingerprinting evidence. Pitchfork had initially persuaded a work colleague to provide a DNA sample pretending to be him.
The killer was given a minimum term of 30 years, later reduced to 28 years, and was released in September 2021.
But he was back behind bars two months later after approaching a lone woman while litter-picking.
He was later suspected of trying to cheat lie detector tests, said parole papers, by controlling his breathing.
JUSTICE Secretary Alex Chalk is saying exactly what Express readers are thinking. Life should mean life for those who commit the most horrendous crimes and, thanks to reforms introduced by this Government, that is what’s happening.
The situation is more complex for those jailed decades ago, such as child killer Colin Pitchfork, who is now making a bid for freedom.
Mr Chalk is seeking an “urgent” meeting with the Parole Board about the case, warning that the families of Pitchfork’s victims are being put through torture. It is a refreshing change to see victims and their families put first – and it’s about time.
Mr Chalk is a Justice Secretary who speaks his mind and knows that our courts and jails are there to protect the public.
He’s the right man for the job.