Pitchfork waits for advice on early release
Double child killer Colin Pitchfork is waiting to hear if he has legal grounds to take the next step in his bid for early release.
The 49-year-old was given two life sentences in January 1988 after he admitted raping and killing Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, both 15, in Narborough in 1983 and 1986.
-
An artist's impression of Pitchfork
Last month he won a two year reduction in the minimum time he must serve before he can apply for parole.
The cut was granted by senior judges who accepted that he was a model prisoner who did valuable charity work.
His legal representatives said yesterday they are now seeking legal advice before deciding whether to seek leave to take the next phase of the appeal to the House of Lords. It is thought they want to appeal for a further cut of between three and five years – meaning the killer could apply for release as early as 2011.
The Home Office ruled in 1994 that he should serve 30 years before he could apply for parole.
A senior judge endorsed that view last year when the case was reviewed again.
Cutting Pitchfork's minimum sentence from 30 to 28 years last month, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Justice Judge, stressed the killer could only be released when he is no longer deemed to be a threat to the public.
His victims' families have repeatedly said they believe Pitchfork will remain dangerous until the end of his life.
17 Comments
View all
by Jez, Enderby
Thursday, June 04 2009, 2:11PM
“I can only hope he continues to be a model prisoner for the rest of his life and dies behind bars soon. He has had 20 years or so to work out how to manipulate the system and its true he's made "exceptional progress" on that front.
As others have put ;how exactly can he ever be deemed as a no longer a risk to the public ?”
by Daniel, Leicester
Thursday, June 04 2009, 1:10PM
“From the hate being aimed at this person and the pictures of his face everywhere you would think he would want to stay inside really. I think we all know what would happen if he got out and well maybe he deserves that anyway. I still believe life should be life, or else whats the point in calling it life sentance, i care not whether he has become less of a public threat he was sentanced to life inprisonment and thats exactly what he sould get, the punishment was based on the severity of the crimes, if he has changed now then he should do nothing but feel the guilt of his crimes whilst dying in prison.”
by Sue, Leicester
Thursday, June 04 2009, 12:54PM
“How many times in the past have we seen terrible news stories of children being abducted, raped,sexually abused and murdered only to find out later that the person involved has had previous similar convictions. Some have been given ridiculous sentences and let off early for good behaviour etc. They get given new identities and addresses only for things to happen again. How many more innocent lives have got to be lost or ruined before our so called justice system means JUSTICE? Keep him where he belongs behind bars for the rest of his miserable life>”
by CJ, Leics
Thursday, June 04 2009, 12:46PM
“When he is seemed as no longer deemed to be a threat to the public? And how to you deem that? How will they know he is or isn¿t? Simple you can¿t regardless of good behaviour, charity work he is still a child killer! If we look at the rates of people re-offending in the UK compared to overseas then we need to have a better way of reforming them for release.”
by Chris, Great Glen
Thursday, June 04 2009, 12:45PM
“We all have human rights, but if Pitchfork was happy to commit the crimes (particularly with a three year gap, which surely indicates inherent in his nature) he should accept the consequences.
As usual, the victims are forgotten and it is the criminal who is looking for sympathy.
Why do we tamper with sentences - devalues the courts and leaves the vast majority of the public having no faith in justice.
30 years minimum should stay 30 years minimum.”