Decision on possible release of notorious child killer Colin Pitchfork could be made next month

A decision on whether notorious child killer Colin Pitchfork should be released from jail could be made next month.

Pitchfork has spent more than three decades behind bars serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of Leicestershire schoolgirls Linda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.

His parole hearing was due to take place this month but has been postponed.

Linda and Dawn, both 15, were killed by Pitchfork in 1983 and 1986 respectively.

A huge manhunt was launched in the Enderby area near where the crimes were committed - eventually catching Pitchfork using what was then pioneering DNA testing.

Ahead of the upcoming hearing, MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa has expressed ‘huge concern’ to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board for England and Wales Martin Jones.

He said he met Mr Jones to reiterate the grave concerns of his constituents about Pitchfork’s potential release.

Pitchfork’s case was most recently refused by the Parole Board in 2018. Since then, he has been kept in an open prison.

In accordance with the law the Parole Board must review cases every two years.

Mr Costa has written to the Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland about his concerns.