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No parole for Colin Pitchfork: First killer caught by DNA No parole for Colin Pitchfork: First killer caught by DNA
(about 9 hours later)
A child killer who became the first person in the world to be convicted using DNA evidence has been refused parole - but recommended for transfer to an open prison.A child killer who became the first person in the world to be convicted using DNA evidence has been refused parole - but recommended for transfer to an open prison.
Colin Pitchfork was given a life sentence in 1988 for the rape and murder of 15-year-old Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire.Colin Pitchfork was given a life sentence in 1988 for the rape and murder of 15-year-old Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire.
Both victims' families opposed his release.Both victims' families opposed his release.
Barbara Ashworth, Dawn's mother, said "life should mean life".Barbara Ashworth, Dawn's mother, said "life should mean life".
His case was referred to the Parole Board to review his suitability for release.His case was referred to the Parole Board to review his suitability for release.
A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a three-member panel of the Parole Board has not directed the release of Colin Pitchfork but has recommended to the Ministry of Justice that he is suitable for a move to open conditions.A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a three-member panel of the Parole Board has not directed the release of Colin Pitchfork but has recommended to the Ministry of Justice that he is suitable for a move to open conditions.
"It is up to the Ministry of Justice whether or not to accept this recommendation. We are unable to comment further on the details of this case.""It is up to the Ministry of Justice whether or not to accept this recommendation. We are unable to comment further on the details of this case."
Speaking before the parole hearing, Ms Ashworth, said: "I think life should mean life because obviously if they are in prison they aren't put in a situation where they can commit those sort of crimes again. Ms Ashworth said she was concerned Pitchfork could harm a member of the public if allowed out of open prison on temporary release.
"If he was released I would feel that it was a matter of time until these feelings came over him again. "It's a process whereby he's released more gradually and gradually into the community again," she told BBC Radio Leicester.
"Once he's out again in the community it would be quite easy for him to think 'Oh, I'll pick up where I left off'." "I would far sooner he was still in prison where I consider he belongs.
"I would go down on bended knees to the secretary of state for justice and just beg them not to let this man out again, because we don't know what he's capable of."
Danny Shaw, BBC Home Affairs correspondentDanny Shaw, BBC Home Affairs correspondent
The judge who sentenced Pitchfork described him as "a danger to young women" whose crimes were of a "particularly sadistic kind".The judge who sentenced Pitchfork described him as "a danger to young women" whose crimes were of a "particularly sadistic kind".
He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years, but in 2009 the Court of Appeal reduced the minimum term to 28 years to take into account the "exceptional progress" Pitchfork had made in custody.He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years, but in 2009 the Court of Appeal reduced the minimum term to 28 years to take into account the "exceptional progress" Pitchfork had made in custody.
The court said the former baker had sought to address the reasons for his offending, achieved "a high standard of education, to degree level", never been placed "on report" while in custody and was "trusted to help with the well-being" of fellow inmates.The court said the former baker had sought to address the reasons for his offending, achieved "a high standard of education, to degree level", never been placed "on report" while in custody and was "trusted to help with the well-being" of fellow inmates.
It added that Pitchfork, who's now 55, had become a specialist in transcribing printed music into Braille, work which was used across the UK and internationally.It added that Pitchfork, who's now 55, had become a specialist in transcribing printed music into Braille, work which was used across the UK and internationally.
Once a life sentence prisoner's minimum term has been served, they are eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board.Once a life sentence prisoner's minimum term has been served, they are eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board.
The Parole Board is not legally permitted to consider whether the prisoner has been punished enough, instead it must focus solely on how dangerous the prisoner is.The Parole Board is not legally permitted to consider whether the prisoner has been punished enough, instead it must focus solely on how dangerous the prisoner is.
Rebecca Eastwood, Lynda Mann's sister, started a petition demanding Pitchfork is never released.Rebecca Eastwood, Lynda Mann's sister, started a petition demanding Pitchfork is never released.
It gathered 19,222 supporters and was submitted to the Parole Board before the hearing to consider his case.It gathered 19,222 supporters and was submitted to the Parole Board before the hearing to consider his case.
Colin Pitchfork: Two brutal murdersColin Pitchfork: Two brutal murders