Child double killer Colin Pitchfork summoned to prison | UK news

[ad_1]

The Justice Department said child killer and rapist Colin Pitchfork was arrested and imprisoned two months after his release.

It is understood that he was returned to custody Friday for breaching the terms of his license – which he agreed to abide by upon his release – and his re-release will be the prerogative of the Parole Board.

Understandably, his behavior was a cause for concern to the probation officers who were monitoring him under strict discipline.

Pitchfork, now in his early 60s, was the first man convicted of murder based on DNA evidence in 1988 when he confessed to raping and killing two schoolgirls.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of Linda Mann and Don Ashworth, both aged 15, in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.

A Probation Service spokesperson said: “Protecting the public is our number one priority, so when perpetrators breach the terms of their release and potentially pose an increased risk, we don’t hesitate to return them to custody.”

There was an outcry when Pitchfork was released from prison in September after a failed campaign to keep him behind bars.

Understandably, breaching the terms of his license did not involve a new criminal act and did not require police intervention, other than his arrest so he could be sent back to prison.

Officials declined to disclose the disturbing behavior and it is understood that the families of his victims were contacted to inform them.

Typical licensing terms for a serious offender like Pitchfork include regular police reporting and surveillance, restrictions on where they can go, and declaring all electronic devices in their possession.

At the time of his release, Dawn’s mother, Barbara Ashworth, spoke out against the decision to release him, saying “life should have meant life”.

She told the Palestinian News Agency on Friday, “I’m glad he’s been turned away and the women and girls are safe and protected from him now. It’s a safer place when he’s behind bars and you don’t have to worry about others infecting him at the moment. But there’s always a worry that he might get out again.” , and seems to have a lot of people on his side who give him the benefit of the doubt. But for now, I should be happy with the news.”

Pitchfork was arrested after the world’s first mass DNA test, when 5,000 men in three villages were asked to volunteer to take blood or saliva samples, though he initially evaded justice by having a colleague perform the test for him.

The parole board ruled he was “appropriate for release” at a hearing in March, although this was denied in 2016 and 2018. He was placed on the sex offenders registry and is subject to other licensing terms.

In July, the Parole Board rejected calls from the government to reconsider the controversial decision.

Robert Buckland, then the attorney general, had formally asked them to reconsider the move on the grounds that there was a debatable case that the decision was “unreasonable”.

The government plans to reform the parole system with the results of the review expected later this year.

It also sought to change legislation so that child killers could face life behind bars without parole.

[ad_2]