Colin Pitchfork, a notorious double child rapist and murderer, will not be released on parole after his recent application was rejected. Pitchfork was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1988 for the rape and strangulation of two 15-year-old girls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, in Leicestershire. Although released in 2021, he was swiftly returned to prison two months later for breaching the terms of his release by approaching a lone woman.
Last month, Pitchfork sought parole for a second time, but the Parole Board denied his application, expressing concerns about the potential risk he still posed to the public. The Board’s judgment cited the circumstances of his past offenses, the progress observed during his time in custody and on license, and the evidence presented at the hearing. Ultimately, the panel was not convinced that his release at this point would ensure the safety and protection of the public.
During his crimes, Pitchfork exhibited a “negative attitude towards women, difficulties in managing extreme emotions, and [derived] enjoyment [from] causing fear in women,” according to the judgment. The document continued to highlight his need for control, deviant fantasies, and a desire to punish women. Pitchfork displayed preoccupation with sexual thoughts, a sense of entitlement regarding sexual activity, and pleasure in sexual violence. The panel expressed concern about the lack of current information on his attitudes toward sex, thinking, and beliefs.
Alberto Costa, the MP for South Leicestershire, who has been actively campaigning for Pitchfork’s continued incarceration, welcomed the news. He emphasized the paramount importance of the safety of women and girls, stating, “A man capable of committing such horrific crimes, now only in his early 60s, has no place in the community.” The rejection of Pitchfork’s parole application brings relief to constituents and the families of the victims, reaffirming the commitment to prioritizing public safety over potential risks associated with his release.