South Leicestershire MP, Alberto Costa has written to the Secretary of Justice, The Rt. Hon David Gauke MP, to seek assurances over new Parole Board rules in relation to the case of convicted child-killer Colin Pitchfork, who this week will again be eligible to apply for release on parole.
Pitchfork, who was jailed in 1988 for the rape and murder of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in 1983 and 1986, is eligible to apply for parole again this week following a refusal for his release last year.
As such, Alberto is now seeking assurances that recent changes made to the Parole Board process – such as summaries of Parole Board decisions and a mechanism that allows members of the public to challenge Parole Board rulings – will apply in Colin Pitchfork’s case.
Alberto said, “Colin Pitchfork’s crimes are still a prevalent memory for many in South Leicestershire, and as ever, the safety and wellbeing of my constituents is of paramount significance. It’s incredibly important that any decisions made in Pitchfork’s case are open and available to the public, to ensure that my constituents, and others, are fully aware of the Parole Board’s decision-making process, as to whether he is still deemed a threat to the public or if he might now be deemed eligible for release”.
Alberto added, “I was pleased to support the Justice Secretary’s proposals for a more accountable parole process, including the release of summaries of Parole Board decisions, last year, however it is imperative that these new rules apply in Pitchfork’s case, whereby a risk to the public may still be posed. I have consistently raised the matter of Pitchfork’s heinous crimes with senior Ministers in the Department of Justice, and I will continue doing so in order to ensure that my constituents are kept fully informed as the developments in this case”.