COLIN Pitchfork has a new partner and friends who helped persuade Parole chiefs to free him, it was revealed today.
The double child killer was earlier given the green light to be freed from jail, after he was deemed to no longer be a risk.
He was released after 33 years in 2021, but swiftly came back to prison after ‘concerning’ behaviour
But MPs and the families of the victims hit out at the “diabolical” decision and called for the Justice Secretary to step in to block it before it’s too late.
Mr Pitchfork — who now goes by the name David Thorpe — carried out his crimes in Leicestershire.
Now 63, he raped and strangled Lynda Mann in 1983 and Dawn Ashworth, both 15, in 1986.
Pitchfork was sentenced to life in prison in 1988 – with a minimum 30-year term that was later reduced to 28 years.
He was denied parole in 2016 and 2018 after being branded a danger to the public.
He was released in 2021 but was back in jail two months later after breaching the licence conditions of his release.
Today the Parole Board said that they thought his level of risk was low enough to let him out.
And they said that “protective factors which would reduce the risk of reoffending were considered to be the support Mr Pitchfork has from the relationship with his partner and from his friends”.
Colin Pitchfork has a new partner and friends who are keeping him on the straight and narrow
As part of his licence conditions, he may have to tell probation chiefs if he is developing close relationships with new people.
And he may also have an exclusion zone “to avoid contact with victims, women and children”, according to the Parole Board’s recommendations.
Previously Mr Pitchfork has had to confess crimes to new girlfriends or face being recalled back to prison under a huge 43-strong list of licence conditions.
Pitchfork’s ex-wife Carole, who was with him when he committed the murders, has blasted him as a “monster”.
Carole described them as “horrendous crimes” and said they had had “a massive impact on my life.”
They are now divorced, but she keeps a low profile.
But Parole chiefs said earlier that “some conditions should be less restrictive or removed” as the last set were “extremely restrictive”.
They are still confident that he “will not be in a position to reoffend”.
The double murderer is said to have been calling himself David Thorpe amongst lags inside HMP Leyhill.
However, the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk could step in within the next three weeks and make a case for them to look again.
Sources close to him say he’s looking at the case very carefully and weighing up whether to make a case and intervene.
Local MP Alberto Costa said today he was “deeply disappointed that the Parole Board have decided to release the convicted child killer Colin Pitchfork”.
He added: “I would like to reassure constituents that I will be writing to the Justice Secretary to ask that he seek an immediate and urgent review.
“It is simply unthinkable that a man who committed such egregious crimes should ever be released, and I will be asking the Government to challenge this decision in the strongest possible terms.”
A Ministry of Justice source told HOAR: “Pitchfork was recalled to prison less than two years ago for concerning behaviour.
“That the parole board think he’s now safe for release is extremely worrying. This will do nothing for public confidence and will only strengthen calls for reform.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This will be a very upsetting decision for the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth and our heartfelt sympathies remain with them.
“Pitchfork will remain in prison while the Lord Chancellor looks extremely carefully at whether to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its decision.
“Our number one priority is public protection which is why we are reforming the parole system and introducing a ministerial check to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars.”
Lynda Mann’s mum has hit out at the decision to release him
Dawn Ashworth was one of his victims
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “A panel of the Parole Board, including two judges, has today directed the re-release of Colin Pitchfork following his recall to custody in November 2021.
“Having considered all of the evidence, during a hearing observed by the victims and the local Member of Parliament, the panel found that Mr Pitchfork’s recall to custody was flawed and not supported by the evidence.
“Separately, the panel found that the prisoner’s continued detention was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.
“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care.
“Protecting the public is our number one priority, however our sole focus in law is risk, not punishment, and must be based on evidence.
