The parole hearing for double child murderer and rapist Colin Pitchfork will be held behind closed doors…

July 11, 2024, 19:01

The next parole hearing for double child murderer and rapist Colin Pitchfork will no longer be public due to “new allegations” and “unforeseeable developments,” the parole board said.

On Thursday, it said the allegations related to “relatively young behavior” and apologized for the “increased burden” on the victims’ families.

Pitchfork was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1988 after raping and strangling 15-year-old girls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.

Aged 27 at the time, he became the first man in Britain to be convicted on the basis of DNA profiling. He was given a minimum prison sentence of 30 years, later reduced to 28 years.

Pitchfork was initially released from prison in September 2021, but was back behind bars two months later after violating the terms of his license when he approached a single woman while collecting garbage.

A Parole Board spokesman said: “A panel of the Parole Board held a hearing on Wednesday, July 10, to determine the procedural directions for Colin Pitchfork.

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They added: “At this hearing, the panel and both parties discussed how best to obtain evidence of the new allegations in the case. This included submitting new material to the panel relating to risks.”

“We regret that, due to significant changes in circumstances, the decision had to be changed regarding the nature of the hearing, which will now no longer be public.

“The reason for this was unforeseeable developments, including new allegations regarding relatively recent conduct.”

“A copy of the decision of the public hearing taken by the Chair of the Board in accordance with his delegated powers will be published on the Parole Board’s website as soon as it is available.

“We would like to apologize again for the increased stress that both the adjournment and the subsequent public hearing may mean for the victims.

“Victim participation is an important part of the parole process and victims have been invited to observe some of the private hearings. The private oral hearing will be rescheduled in due course.

“The decisions of the parole board are based solely on the risk a prisoner could pose to the public if released and whether this risk is manageable in society.

“The panel will carefully examine a range of evidence, including details of the original crime and any evidence of changes in behaviour. It will also determine the harm and impact of the crime on victims.

“Parole reviews are conducted thoroughly and with the utmost care. Protecting the public is our top priority.”