Double child killer Colin Pitchfork can be released from prison subject to conditions, the Parole Board said.
The Parole Board said it is “no longer necessary for the protection of the public” to keep double child-killer Colin Pitchfork in prison.
It said in its decision: “The prisoner had committed shocking, serious offences, causing immeasurable harm to his victims.
“However, the Parole Board’s role, as required by law, is to undertake a risk assessment. The panel noted that Mr Pitchfork has been in prison for a very long time. His behaviour for almost all of that time has not caused any concern.
“He has made constructive use of his time and is now 63 years old. In general, age tends to reduce risk.
“Mr Pitchfork has completed many courses satisfactorily and the evidence before the panel demonstrated that he had learnt the lessons that he had been taught and had worked out how to apply them in practice.
“Accordingly, the panel determined that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public for Mr Pitchfork to remain confined and thereby directed his release.”
Pitchfork was recalled to jail in November 2021 for breaching licence conditions just two months after previously being released.
The 62-year-old was jailed for life in 1988 after raping and strangling two 15-year-olds, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.
He was given a minimum term of 30 years, later reduced to 28 years due to progress he had made in prison, and was released in September 2021.
But Pitchfork was back behind bars two months later after breaching the licence conditions of his release.
Schoolgirl Dawn Ashworth in 1983 (Topham/PA)
It was reported that he had been approaching young women while out on walks from his bail hostel.
Pitchfork has changed his name twice since his conviction and there are fears that he might be targeted by vigilantes.
