It is possible to discover the shocking truth regarding Colin Pitchfork’s recall from jail for child murder.
In an alarming string of incidents, the freed sex killer – who raped and strangled two 15-year-old girls in the 1980s – had been approaching teenage women in the street.
Sources claimed that the 61 year-old appeared to want to make a connection.
Yesterday night the victim’s mother said that her son’s lust for young girls was impossible to cure.
Colin Pitchfork, a double-child killer who was sentenced to life in 1988 for the rape and murder of two 15-year old girls at their home, was seen taking a walk through a park with young families. Pitchfork, a 61-year old predator, was given a life sentence for the rape & murder of two teenage girls in 1988.
Lynda Mann (right), who was murdered by Pitchfork (right) in Narborough in Leicestershire in November 1983, was also raped (right) and strangled in Narborough. Dawn Ashworth (left), was then raped (left) and murdered three years later, in Enderby.
Both families have accused Parole Board officials of placing children at risk through ignoring warnings from experts. This includes Pitchfork’s ‘future sexual interest’. Dawn Ashworth, second victim of Pitchfork.
This revelation triggered calls for immediate reforms to Parole Board. Despite warnings that Pitchfork could pose a risk to the public, the controversial release of Pitchfork from the Board was controversial.
Pitchfork was released from prison in September. He was now living in a bail hostel. But he was dramatically arrested on Friday for sidling up to young women – in their later teens and early 20s – on ‘multiple’ occasions while on daily walks from his hostel.
Although he did not commit any new offences, the ‘concerning’ behaviour was deemed so troubling that Pitchfork was sent back to jail for breaching the terms of his release on licence.
Barbara Ashworth, the daughter of Dawn Ashworth, was shot to death by Pitchfork in 1986. The leopard does not change its spots, which is evident in this case.
Robert Buckland, former justice secretary, called for radical changes in the parole system.
Rebecca Eastwood is the sister Lynda Mann’s victim. (Photo: Rebecca Eastwood) said, ‘Why have he been placed next to a number schools? The pictures should make it clear that people are now able to keep watch.
Dominic Raab, Justice Secretary of the United States of America was said last night to have been ‘looking closely” at reforms to Parole Board. This board has come under scrutiny for a number of controversial decisions that freed dangerous offenders. According to sources, he may announce the changes within weeks. Parole Board hearings cannot be viewed by journalists or the general public. Very little information is available about why a prisoner was released.
Pitchfork murdered Dawn Ashworth in Enderby three years after he had strangled Lynda Man in Narborough in Leicestershire in November 1983.
His DNA evidence proved to be the most powerful in proving his innocence. He had attempted to escape capture and persuaded an employee to give him a test during the murder investigation.
He was originally sentenced to 30 years, but was released after he showed good behavior while in prison.
Pitchfork, who was released to bail at a south coast hostel in September, was fitted an electronic tag that monitored his movements and was placed under the most stringent license conditions. His movements were being closely monitored by police.
Pictured: Police remove Lynda Mann’s body from the murder scene. Pitchfork was a father to a baby boy who was sleeping in his car. He then raped Lynda Mann, 15, in Narborough.
Philip Musson, the 68-year-old uncle of Miss Ashworth, stated that it is a shock to learn that Pitchfork has been monitored by authorities. If they had put all this effort into tracking him, it would have made them less confident about their assessment of his risk.
“I think you might argue that this proves the arrangements worked. Why take that risk? [of releasing him]’
David Baker (retired detective chief superintendent), was the one who captured Pitchfork. He said: “This is exactly what we expected. Pitchfork is now back to his old self by approaching the girls. At the time, I believed that Pitchfork wasn’t being honest with probation.
They were conned by him. It’s not surprising that this happened.
“He was in prison for some time and suddenly had the opportunity to see young women on a daily basis. There was no escaping the temptation.
“I believe the probation system should be reviewed. You need to make sure that everyone is safe. In Pitchfork’s case, they said they had consulted the police – well, no one ever spoke to me.’
One resident who lives near the bail hostel where Pitchfork was placed said yesterday: ‘I had no idea that he lived there but that is scary that he was staying so close – nobody tells you these things.
“I can’t believe no one told us about it, and that he was just across the street.”
Buckland proposed that the Parole Board was renamed “the public protection board” and use stricter guidelines to assess the potential risk of criminals being released into the community. He said, “We need to take steps to ensure that public protection is the main focus of this.”
Publication of detailed summaries of each decision’s reasons should be possible.
“It’s right for the public to know why someone has been deemed safe or not unsafe after they have committed a serious offense. While there might be people who don’t want certain information made public, some will need to exercise some discretion. But I don’t see why Parole Board hearings can’t be openly accessible in the same manner as open court. While in office, Mr Buckland directed a root-and-branch review of the Parole Board and asked his successor, Mr Raab to implement’meaningful changes’ which would be focused on public safety.
Raab believes that the Parole Board is “adrift” from its core mission.
Sources close enough to him claim that he will introduce reforms to ensure that the public is not exposed to any infractions.
Sources close to the Parole board said that Pitchfork’s prison psychologist, community probation officer and prison probation officer supported his release during their testimony at the hearing.
Pitchfork is a danger because he has no conscience.
BARBARA DAVIES DAILY MAIL
Colin Pitchfork, 21, was indecently exposed to young girls just months prior to his 1981 marriage.
Although it was not his first flashing incident, this time he managed to get away with just a quick rap on his hands.
That court appearance came just two years before Pitchfork killed for the first time – and by then he was already a master at running rings around the authorities, who he’d convinced he would ‘outgrow his problem’.
In 1987, Lynda Mann was arrested and charged with the murders of Dawn Ashworth and Dawn Ashworth. He laughed at the ease it took to get the wool over the eyes of people since he started offending in Boy Scouts as a depraved sweet-faced boy scout.
Pitchfork was delighted at the inability of authorities to stop his strange compulsions.
Interviews with police revealed that he felt it was futile to try to assist him at The Woodlands. This is a hospital which treats ‘neurotic disorder’. He was “a bleeding waste”.
Pictured: Colin Pitchfork during his wedding. Pitchfork, who pleaded guilty in September 1987 to murder, was sentenced to death in January 1988. Pitchfork was sentenced to life in January 1988 after the judge stated that Pitchfork’s killings were “particularly sadistic”.
Officers were told by him that probation officers and psychiatrists are very happy when they hear what they desire to hear. These people are so easy to please, I cannot believe it.
Joseph Wambaugh was a former Los Angeles detective and wrote an enlightening account of Pitchfork’s crimes. Wambaugh had extensive access to Pitchfork’s case files, taped confessions and other evidence for his 1989 book The Blooding. He gained a unique insight into Pitchfork’s wicked mindset and his love of dissembling.
Yesterday’s author (now 84) told me that it was virtually impossible for sociopaths who murder others to be other than they already are. The ‘deceitful killer’ was considered unfit to be released because he “didn’t know what he was doing”.
Colin Pitchfork’s mugshot, who was the first person to be convicted using DNA evidence.
Wambaugh states that murdering psychopaths possess a vague superego. This is what we refer to as a conscience. He doesn’t think and feel the same about his crimes as a normal person. He will remain a menace.
Wambaugh wrote in his book that Pitchfork was a sexually ambivalent child who began to reveal himself to other children as a 11-year old. Pitchfork admits that flashing gave him a buzz because it is something I should not do.
Detectives were told by him that it was the highest high he needed and that part of the excitement was not knowing “how it would end”.
Wambaugh’s unique access to Pitchfork allows him to paint a stunning picture of his psychopathic tendencies. Wambaugh notes that during interviews, he claimed that he’d ‘flashed one thousand girls’ in his life.
The man spoke with no remorse and ‘described such victories with gusto.
Wambaugh said that Pitchfork’s speech was grandiose and “laced with Macho profanity”.
According to the author, he used to talk in monotone but when he described flashings, he was able speak with delight. Pitchfork had to feel at control even in police interviews. One occasion, mid-interview, Pitchfork asked for and was granted a Chinese meal. On another, he pulled a metal bolt from his sock – removed from a brass plaque in his cell – as well as a shoelace (routinely confiscated from prisoners because they present a hanging risk).
Kath Eastwood, Leicester, holding Lynda Mann’s picture in 2010,
Wambaugh says he set them down on the table expecting homage because he showed detectives that they could be outwitted.
The September release of Pitchfork from jail was approved by the Parole Board. Did they pay much attention to his complete disregard for authority, and the pathetic boast that he would not keep his word? They should have noticed that Pitchfork’s thrill came from his ability to race around people who could stop him, and the possibility of being caught.
Pitchfork was not allowed to leave prison despite being warned repeatedly. The lure of violating the law was just as tempting and powerful once Pitchfork got out.
Sue Gratrick, the older sister of Pitchfork’s first victim, Lynda Mann, said yesterday – on the 38th anniversary of Lynda’s murder – that her family was praying that this time he will stay behind bars. Her sister, Sue Gratrick, said that she was glad to see no injuries. That is what I fear most.
Our parole board does not meet the requirements
BY JULIE BINDEL, DAILY MAIL
Colin Pitchfork had been released in September after serving 31 years in prison for the murder and rape of two schoolgirls. I wrote to him that he should be executed in prison. It is still my belief that he should.
Pitchfork was allegedly released but is now back in prison. He has reportedly been seen approaching young women while out on walks alone – walks which seemingly he was entitled to take.
Recent years have seen a number of controversy surrounding the Parole Board’s decision to release grave offenders.
John Worboys, a black cab rapist was convicted of attacking 12 women in 2009. However, police believe he may have sexually assaulted over 100 more. Indefinitely, he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Two victims challenged the High Court’s January 2018 decision to release Worboys. The Parole Board released Ian Simms last year, but he refused to disclose the location of the remains.
John Worboys was convicted for attacking 12 women with a black taxi rape in 2009, but police suspect he could have sexually assaulted more.
22-year-old Clerk Helen McCourt disappeared while returning home from Merseyside, in 1988. Simms was unable to be held accountable for her mother’s actions, but Helen’s Law now prohibits killers from being released on parole. This is because they cannot reveal the location of a victim’s corpse.
Jordan Cunliffe was jailed for killing Garry Newlove (father-of-three), outside of his home in 2008. Ministers unsuccessfully challenged the board’s decision. Kenneth Noye (road rage killer) stabbed Stephen Cameron in the back on an M25 slip road, 1996. It was then that it was determined that Noye no longer poses a danger.
He may be able return to his normal life, provided that parole officers agree with him.
But how can they know this, and if the Parole Board’s number one priority really is the safety of the public – as it claims – why was he even considered for release?
These extreme words are not spoken out of revenge for the victims or their families.
I’m not a hanger or flogger. Only people who pose a danger to the public are eligible for imprisonment if I were the head of the judiciary.
However, the truth is that men who have been convicted of gross sexual offenses such as Pitchforks are not able to be ‘cured’ no matter how skillfully they manipulate psychologists.
Members of his board that approved his release might feel today let down. Let’s not forget the man with whom we deal.
One man raped, strangled, and sexually assaulted two girls aged 15 and 16, and then raped another teenage girl. This person also confessed to having exposed himself over the course of a lifetime to nearly 1,000 girls and women.
His inability to control his repulsion to murder, degrade and defile women and girls has been repeatedly proven.
In principle, I think that those who have completed their sentences and are able to show their success in rehabilitation should be released. Are all prison inmates capable of being released? Is Pitchfork a serious sex offender? My opinion is no. Pitchfork is one of those men who will attack women at any opportunity. His long criminal history proves it.
At the trial, he was identified in a psychiatrist’s report as having a psychopathology and personality disorder.
Judge said about him, “From the standpoint of safety of the public I doubt that he should be ever released.”
The Parole Board, despite objections from the government, decided that it could not choose, considering the amount of time he served and the results to be commissioned, but release the predator.
This old-fashioned idea that you return home after you’ve completed your sentence is what constrains the board. This may seem like a good principle for a rehabilitation prison system. However, as a feminist I quickly noticed the problem. It does not consider the welfare of women and allow them to live in freedom without fear.
After apparently violating his release terms, ‘Pitchfork has been returned to prison. He has reportedly been seen approaching young women while out on walks alone – walks which seemingly he was entitled to take’
Pitchfork being released while giving advice is a sign that the system should be immediately reformed. A proper risk assessment must be done before any prisoner is released. Poor judgment by dangerous men has led to too many women being raped and murdered.
We need to be very clear on the Pitchfork matter. His behavior was alarming because of the media attention he received.
The less known, yet equally determined sexual predators are also being released. They will not be subject to any scrutiny.
I’ve been compared to Right-wing ‘law & Order’ right-wingers in my advocacy on the issue. Also, accused of pushing for harsh sentences such as ‘life is good’ to score political points.
In reality, my goal is to prevent male violence against women.
Colin Pitchfork is not worthy of a second chance to protect women and show girls their worth.
Julie Bindel is both a feminist writer, and a campaigner against domestic violence.