Colin Pitchfork, who raped and murdered two schoolgirls in the 1980s, has been released from prison.
Now in his early 60s, Pitchfork was jailed for life after raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.
Pitchfork’s 30-year minimum term was cut by two years in 2009, he was moved to an open prison three years ago and released on Wednesday.
The government had asked the Parole Board, which is an independent body, to re-examine the decision under the so-called reconsideration mechanism - but that requested was rejected.
After a hearing in March, the Parole Board ruled he was “suitable for release”, despite parole being denied in 2016 and 2018.
The law is the law... but it shouldn’t have come about – he should have been locked away for life
Barbara Ashworth, mother of Dawn Ashworth, said of Pitchfork's release: “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.
“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.”
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.”
Questioned on how she and her family would cope with Pitchfork’s release, Ms Ashworth continued: “Well, I can never put it out of my mind.
“I recoil every day with people talking about their daughters and grandchildren. As I say, it’s with you daily, what you’ve had taken and all that she could have achieved.”
Asked if she had a way of dealing with the news, Ms Ashworth added: “No, I’m not able to. I just think it should never have been allowed, he should never be walking the streets again.
File photos dated 01/01/83 of schoolgirl Dawn Ashworth as her killer Colin Pitchfork has walked free from prison after bids to keep him behind bars for longer failed. Issue date: Wednesday September 1, 2021.
Topham
“The law is the law and what they say goes, but it shouldn’t have come about – he should have been locked away for life without parole as far as I’m concerned.
“It’s an existence, it’s not a life. I’m not living a life, it’s just go from day-to-day.
“Something like this goes to pull the rug from under you and you don’t realise how shattered your life can be when you’ve just had everything taken away.”
Pitchfork became the first man convicted of murder on the basis of DNA evidence in 1988 after admitting two murders, two rapes, two indecent assaults and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth following the independent Parole Board’s decision to release Colin Pitchfork.
“Public safety is our top priority, which is why he is subject to some of the strictest licence conditions ever set and will remain under supervision for the rest of his life.
“If he breaches these conditions, he faces an immediate return to prison.”
