Legal bid delays double murderer's parole hearing

Colin Pitchfork was jailed for raping and murdering 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in the 1980s

Double child killer Colin Pitchfork has launched a legal bid for a judicial review related to his parole hearing.

The Parole Board said the 64-year-old was seeking permission for the review over "ongoing fresh allegations" about his behaviour in prison, and the extent of new material in the case that he had been permitted to see.

Pitchfork, who was jailed in the 1980s for raping and murdering 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire, was due to have a parole hearing in October and November - but this has now been delayed.

He was the first murderer to be convicted in the UK using DNA profiling.

The Parole Board said Pitchfork had requested that his parole hearing be adjourned due to his application.

"A panel of the Parole Board sought representations from both parties and agreed to the adjournment request; the oral hearing will be adjourned until further notice," a spokesperson said.

"This is because the potential impact of any decision in the judicial review on the oral hearing.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.

"As ongoing legal proceedings are active, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage."

Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth were raped and murdered by Pitchfork, who was jailed for his crimes in 1988

Pitchfork was jailed for life in 1988 for killing both girls in 1983 and 1986.

He was handed a minimum term of 30 years, later reduced to 28.

After serving 33 years, he was initially released from prison in September 2021, but was back behind bars two months later when it was decided he had breached his parole conditions after Pitchfork disclosed he had approached a lone female.

Pitchfork was granted parole in June 2023, but that decision was challenged by ministers and in December that year, it was decided he would not be released.

Earlier this year, Pitchfork successfully challenged that decision, with a "complete re-hearing" ordered.

Parole Board hearings are typically conducted behind closed doors, but can now, in certain circumstances, take place in public if requested, after changes in the law.

The Parole Board had ruled that Pitchfork's hearing could be heard in public, but in July the board then decided that the hearing - set for three days across October and November - would be held in private due to allegations about his behaviour in prison.

It is unclear what the fresh allegations of bad behaviour include.

At the time, the Parole Board apologised "again for the increased stress" that the adjournment and public hearing decision might have on the victims.