Parole Hearing for Double Child Killer Colin Pitchfork Closed to Public Due to New Allegations

Parole Hearing for Double Child Killer Colin Pitchfork Closed to Public Due to New Allegations

Parole Hearing for Double Child Killer Colin Pitchfork Closed to Public Due to New Allegations

 


London, England – The upcoming parole hearing for double child killer Colin Pitchfork will no longer be held in public due to "fresh allegations" regarding his behavior in prison. This decision comes despite police choosing not to pursue further action against Pitchfork due to the lack of support from the alleged victim, according to a ruling by Parole Board chairman Judge Peter Rook KC.

Unspecified Allegations Under Investigation
Details about the new allegations remain unclear. However, Judge Rook stated that the panel is "under a duty to investigate" these matters. He noted that a transcript from a body-worn video has been added to Pitchfork’s dossier.

Apology to Victims' Families
The Parole Board panel, in announcing their decision earlier this month, apologized for the increased stress caused to the families of Pitchfork's victims. Pitchfork, now 64, was convicted in 1988 for the rapes and murders of 15-year-old girls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire during the mid-1980s. He was the first person in the UK to be convicted using DNA profiling and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years, which was later reduced to 28 years.

Previous Release and Recall to Prison
Pitchfork was initially released in September 2021 but was returned to custody two months later after breaching his license conditions by approaching a lone woman while litter-picking. A three-day in-person parole hearing is scheduled for October 10 and November 14-15, 2024, at the prison where Pitchfork is held.

Victim Participation and Review of Parole Decisions
A Parole Board spokesperson reiterated their apology for the distress caused by both the adjournment and the decision to hold the hearing in private. The victims' families have been invited to observe parts of the private proceedings. In June last year, the Parole Board found that Pitchfork's recall to prison was flawed and deemed his continued detention unnecessary for public safety. However, this decision was blocked by then-justice secretary Alex Chalk, prompting a review.

Future Parole Hearing
Although Pitchfork lost his bid for freedom in December, he successfully challenged the ruling to keep him imprisoned earlier this year. This means he will now face a new parole hearing, which could potentially lead to his release. While parole hearings are typically held behind closed doors, recent legal changes allow for them to be conducted publicly under certain circumstances.

Name Changes and Identity Protection
The Parole Board disclosed that Pitchfork has changed his name by deed poll multiple times since his conviction, aiming to protect his identity given the public reaction to his crimes and potential release. The current name he uses has not been disclosed. Due to New Allegations

London, England – The upcoming parole hearing for double child killer Colin Pitchfork will no longer be held in public due to "fresh allegations" regarding his behavior in prison. This decision comes despite police choosing not to pursue further action against Pitchfork due to the lack of support from the alleged victim, according to a ruling by Parole Board chairman Judge Peter Rook KC.

Unspecified Allegations Under Investigation

Details about the new allegations remain unclear. However, Judge Rook stated that the panel is "under a duty to investigate" these matters. He noted that a transcript from a body-worn video has been added to Pitchfork’s dossier.

Apology to Victims' Families

The Parole Board panel, in announcing their decision earlier this month, apologized for the increased stress caused to the families of Pitchfork's victims. Pitchfork, now 64, was convicted in 1988 for the rapes and murders of 15-year-old girls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire during the mid-1980s. He was the first person in the UK to be convicted using DNA profiling and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years, which was later reduced to 28 years.

Previous Release and Recall to Prison

Pitchfork was initially released in September 2021 but was returned to custody two months later after breaching his license conditions by approaching a lone woman while litter-picking. A three-day in-person parole hearing is scheduled for October 10 and November 14-15, 2024, at the prison where Pitchfork is held.

Victim Participation and Review of Parole Decisions

A Parole Board spokesperson reiterated their apology for the distress caused by both the adjournment and the decision to hold the hearing in private. The victims' families have been invited to observe parts of the private proceedings. In June last year, the Parole Board found that Pitchfork's recall to prison was flawed and deemed his continued detention unnecessary for public safety. However, this decision was blocked by then-justice secretary Alex Chalk, prompting a review.

Future Parole Hearing

Although Pitchfork lost his bid for freedom in December, he successfully challenged the ruling to keep him imprisoned earlier this year. This means he will now face a new parole hearing, which could potentially lead to his release. While parole hearings are typically held behind closed doors, recent legal changes allow for them to be conducted publicly under certain circumstances.

Name Changes and Identity Protection

The Parole Board disclosed that Pitchfork has changed his name by deed poll multiple times since his conviction, aiming to protect his identity given the public reaction to his crimes and potential release. The current name he uses has not been disclosed.

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