South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has written to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board for England and Wales in order to ask for an update on the upcoming parole hearing for convicted child-killer Colin Pitchfork – it has now been confirmed this will take place in the autumn.
ALberto met with the Chief Executive of the country’s Parole Board in Parliament in January, however in seeking an update on Pitchfork’s case, the Parole Board have confirmed that a further parole hearing will take place later this year.
Colin Pitchfork, who was jailed in 1988 for the rape and murder of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in 1983 and 1986, has had his case referred to the Parole Board for review. Pitchfork has been refused parole on all previous occasions including on the most recent occasion last year.
Alberto has also announced that he will be writing to the Secretary of State for Justice and the Parole Board to make his own submissions against Pitchfork’s release on behalf of constituents in South Leicestershire.
Alberto said, “On behalf of my constituents, I was pleased to receive this update from the Parole Board with regard to Pitchfork’s case and his ongoing efforts for release on parole. His crimes, quite understandably, still live long in the memory for many in South Leicestershire, and his possible release is a real source of concern for many local residents. I will soon be writing to both the Parole Board and the Justice Secretary to make a formal submission to the parole panel to ensure that they are fully aware of the heinous nature of Pitchfork’s crimes and to reiterate the deeply held concerns of my constituents”.
Alberto added, “The safety and wellbeing of my constituents is of course the predominant concern here, and if the decision is granted to grant Pitchfork’s release on parole, then it’s imperative that we’re aware of the conditions of his licence. I will be making these enquiries with the Parole Board and Justice Secretary and hope that the suitable restrictions will be in place should Pitchfork be granted release later this year”.
