Ministry of Justice will challenge Parole Board's decision to release child killer Colin Pitchfork who raped and murdered two schoolgirls in 1980s
The Ministry of Justice has said it will challenge the Parole Board's decision to allow the release of double child killer Colin Pitchfork.
Pitchfork, now in his early 60s, was jailed for life after strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.
Following a hearing in March, the Parole Board said he was 'suitable for release', despite being denied parole in 2016 and 2018.
The MoJ said it would officially appeal against the decision on Monday.
Mugshot of Colin Pitchfork, the first murderer convicted and jailed using DNA evidence, who was given a 30 year minimum sentence in 1988 for raping and murdering fifteen year old Leicestershire schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth
Victims: Furious relatives of the two schoolgirls murdered by a notorious paedophile have condemned a decision to let him go free. Left: Lynda Mann, right: Dawn Ashworth
A spokesperson said: 'Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.
'After a careful review, the Lord Chancellor will ask the Parole Board to reconsider its decision.'
The reconsideration mechanism, introduced in July 2019, allows people to challenge the board's decision if they believe them to be 'procedurally unfair' or 'irrational'.
However, the provisions make clear that 'being unhappy with the decision is not grounds for reconsideration'.
Robert Buckland said earlier this month he was taking advice on the matter and considering the case 'very carefully'.
It is understood the intervention has been made on the grounds the board's decision may have been irrational.
Once the MoJ's application has been received - expected Monday, once all the victims' families have been able to share their views - the board will have to decide whether its original decision to release Pitchfork can be formally reconsidered.
The threshold for reconsideration is high, and the same as is required for a Judicial Review.
An artist's file impression of Pitchford appealing the length of his sentence at the Court of Appeal in London. Following a hearing in March, the Parole Board said he was 'suitable for release', despite being denied parole in 2016 and 2018
Volunteers take tests to help police find the murdered of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth on January 5 in 1987 (file photo)
A police van containing Richard John Buckland, a learning disabled man who pleaded guilty to murdering Dawn but was later exonerated after DNA evidence proved it was Pitchfork
South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa, who said at the time he was 'appalled' at the decision to release Pitchfork and has consistently campaigned against the killer's release, welcomed the intervention, saying he was 'delighted' with the move.
Pitchfork, who was in his 20s at the time of the attacks, became the first man convicted of murder on the basis of DNA evidence and was jailed for life at Leicester Crown Court in 1988.
He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 30 years.
Pitchfork pleaded guilty to two offences of murder, two of rape, two of indecent assault and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. His minimum term was cut by two years in 2009.
South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa welcomed the intervention, saying he was 'delighted' with the move
He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 30 years.
Although he was denied parole in 2016 and in 2018, Pitchfork was moved to an open prison three years ago.
A document detailing the Parole Board decision said: 'After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Mr Pitchfork was suitable for release.'
The panel considered more than 1,100 pages of information, victim statements and heard evidence from Pitchfork, as well as his probation officers, police and a psychologist.
According to the document, at the time of his offending Pitchfork thought 'about sex a lot', used 'violence and excessive force' and 'sex to demonstrate power and control over women'.
He also struggled to cope with anger, loneliness and had a willingness to 'seek revenge'.
During his time behind bars he has taken part in several courses to address his behaviour and the panel heard Pitchfork's 'behaviour in custody had been positive and had included extensive efforts to help others', including learning skills to help disabled people, the document said.
Pitchfork's release had been subject to strict licence conditions.
Kath Eastwood, of Leicester, holding a picture of her murdered daughter Lynda in 2010 after Pitchfork became the first criminal to be caught and convicted as a result of DNA identification
Dawn, pictured above. Her body was found in a wooded area, less than a mile from the scene of Lynda's murder
Conservative MP Mr Costa said: 'I am delighted that the Lord Chancellor has agreed with me that the decision by the Parole Board was arguably incorrect and that the board should be invited to reconsider that decision.'
He added: 'The reconsideration mechanism was introduced in Parliament in 2019 and that's why I invited the Secretary of State for Justice to fire it back to the Parole Board, to reconsider the appalling decision they've taken to release the double child killer Colin Pitchfork.'
Mr Costa said: 'Pitchfork's egregious crimes cast a shadow over my constituency and are known throughout the country for the way in which he callously raped and horrifically murdered those two innocent teenage girls, Lynda and Dawn.
'The national outrage following the Parole Board's decision a few weeks ago is proof that many people remain haunted by his abhorrent and heinous crimes.'
He added: 'The board now has the final opportunity to get it right; it should listen very carefully to the vast majority of decent law-abiding people in our country and keep this vile sexual offending psychopath behind bars, where he belongs.'
It is understood the Parole Board will comment on the next steps in the process, once the Justice Secretary's formal application has been received.'
The double child killer snared by DNA who terrified the community
The crimes of Colin Pitchfork created terror in the local communities where he had struck.
On November 22, 1983, the body of 15-year-old Lynda Mann was found raped and strangled on a deserted footpath running between a cemetery and a psychiatric hospital in the Leicestershire village of Narborough.
Almost three years later, in July 1986, the body of another 15-year-old, Dawn Ashworth, from nearby Enderby, was found in almost identical circumstances in a wooded area, less than a mile from the scene of Lynda's murder.
The dead girl had been taking a shortcut home from school instead of her usual route, but there can be little doubt that her assailant, believing he had 'got away with it' once, was on the look-out for other teenagers to assault, terrorise and murder in the same way.
Initially, a local man confessed to the second murder and his blood was found to be the same group as blood found at the scene. There can be no doubt that had it not been for advances in science, he would have been convicted while Colin Pitchfork remained free.
However, two years later, semen samples found at the crime scenes were used to match the DNA of Pitchfork, a baker and convicted flasher.
He became the first criminal in the world to be convicted based on DNA fingerprinting, following the first mass screening of 5,000 men in three neighbouring villages.
After his arrest he confessed to his crimes and when asked why he is said to have shrugged to detectives and said: 'Opportunity. She was there and I was there'.
He was given life and a minimum sentence of 30 years, reduced to 28 years on appeal, which he has now served.