Colin Pitchfork: Man who raped and killed two schoolgirls in 1980s can be released from prison, Parole Board rules

Murderer eventually caught after world’s first mass screening for DNA

Although he was denied parole in 2016 and in 2018, Colin Pitchfork was moved to an open prison three years ago (PA)

A man who raped and strangled two schoolgirls to death in the 1980s is suitable for release from prison, the Parole Board has said.

Colin Pitchfork was jailed for life after murdering 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.

A hearing took place in March to consider whether he was suitable for release and the decision was published on Monday.

Pitchfork became the first man convicted of murder on the basis of DNA evidence and was jailed for life at Leicester Crown Court in 1988. He was sentenced to serve a minimum of 30 years.

He was eventually caught after the world's first mass screening for DNA - where 5,000 men in three villages were asked to volunteer blood or saliva samples.

Pitchfork pleaded guilty to two offences of murder, two of rape, two of indecent assault and one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. His minimum term was cut by two years in 2009.

Although he was denied parole in 2016 and in 2018, Pitchfork was moved to an open prison three years ago.

A document detailing the Parole Board decision said: "After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Mr Pitchfork was suitable for release."

The panel considered more than 1,100 pages of information, victim statements and heard evidence from Pitchfork - who is now in his 60s - as well as his probation officers, police and a psychologist.

According to the document, at the time of his offending Pitchfork thought "about sex a lot", used "violence and excessive force" and "sex to demonstrate power and control over women".

He also struggled to cope with anger, loneliness and had a willingness to "seek revenge".

During his time behind bars he has taken part in several courses to address his behaviour and the panel heard Pitchfork's "behaviour in custody had been positive and had included extensive efforts to help others", including learning skills to help disabled people, the document said.

Pitchfork's release is subject to strict licence conditions.

He will have to live at a certain address, take part in probation supervision, wear an electronic tag, take part in polygraph - lie detector - tests and have to disclose what vehicles he uses and who he speaks to, while facing particular limits on contact with children.

Pitchfork will also be subject to a curfew, have restrictions on using technology and limitations on where he can go.

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa, who raised concerns about Pitchfork's release with the Parole Board, said releasing the double killer would be "dangerous".

The Conservative MP told the BBC: "I, like many of my South Leicestershire constituents, are appalled at this decision that the Parole Board has made.

"Even though some 30 years have passed this isn't the sort of crime that one can ever forget. My constituents remember the victims, people who went to school with these victims, and they look to me as the member of Parliament to do everything I can to inform the state that it would be immoral, wrong and frankly dangerous to release this disgraceful murderer of two children."

He accused the Parole Board of "playing politics" and said he would be lobbying the justice secretary.

"The Parole Board has received criticism before in the past - let's not forget only three years ago the John Worboys fiasco that the Parole Board went through when they tried to release that repugnant individual," Mr Costa said.

"The Parole Board back then had the opportunity of hearing Pitchfork but because of representations that I made to the then secretary of state for justice, they acted politically as a Parole Board and chose to delay listening to having a hearing for Colin Pitchfork, so the Parole Board aren't short of playing politics in this as well."

Additional reporting by PA