Fury after notorious child killer who raped and strangled his victims is transferred to an open prison
Colin Pitchfork, the first criminal to be trapped by DNA, has been in jail since 1988
A NOTORIOUS child killer who raped and strangled his two victims has been transferred to an open prison.
Colin Pitchfork, the first criminal to be trapped by DNA, has been in jail since 1988 and his victims' relatives branded the move "an insult."
Pitchfork raped and murdered 15-year-old Lynda Mann, Three years later he killed Dawn Ashworth, also 15, in a carbon copy attack.
Despite being given a life sentence he has been moved to a lower security jail while he's assessed if he could be suitable for a full release, Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah confirmed.
The killer, a convicted flasher, targeted Lynda Mann simply because "she was there," he admitted to police.
Three years later, he killed another 15-year-old girl, Dawn Ashworth, who was beaten, raped and strangled in a wooded area near a footpath in a repeat of Lynda's killing.
Pitchfork received a 30-year minimum term, which was cut to 28 years in 2009.
It is unclear exactly where and when Pitchfork was transferred, but the move took place before Christmas.
Before his move Pitchfork, now in his 50s, had been kept at HM Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, a Category C facility.
Why give him the opportunity?
Lynda Mann's younger sister Rebecca Eastwood
The information was released by Mr Gyimah in a letter to Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire.
He had been seeking assurances that Pitchfork was not presently a danger to the public after a potential transfer to an open prison was sanctioned last year by former Justice Secretary Michael Gove.
Lynda Mann's younger sister Rebecca Eastwood said: "Given what he did, it is too big a risk.
"We were told there could be day trips with an officer and then if he behaves he will be let out on his own with a tag, then there could be longer trips out.
"It's an insult.
"There is no way it is safe to let him out in public.
"He has been locked up until now so he hasn't been able to offend.
"Why give him the opportunity?
"Me and my mum talked about it and there is the worry he will harm someone else."
The minister's letter does not say in which prison Pitchfork is currently being held or whether he has been allowed out, supervised or otherwise, in public.
It does say the purpose of the transfer is to test Pitchfork's suitability for release "in less stringent circumstances".
Pitchfork was convicted by DNA evidence after a mass screening, or blooding, of nearly 5,000 local men, where the crimes were carried out.
Before his move Pitchfork, now in his 50s, had been kept HM Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, a Category C facility.
But Mr Gyimah letter stated: "I must stress that the transfer to open prison does not guarantee eventual release.
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"Before that happens, prisoners must meet another stringent set of tests and should their behaviour whilst in open conditions, or on release on temporary release, give cause for concern they are liable to be returned to closed conditions immediately."
Mr Gyimah's letter goes on to say the killer will not be considered for release until early 2018.
Rebecca and her mother Kath wrote to the last parole board meeting objecting to him being moved to an open prison.
More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition calling for former baker Pitchfork never to be freed.
It's an insult. There is no way it is safe to let him out in public
Rebecca Eastwood
Mr Costa, a former Prison Service lawyer, said: "I don't know if he (Pitchfork) is on any form of release.
"We do need to know whether he is among the public.
"I want assurances that every 't' has been crossed and every 'i' dotted to ensure the safety of the public.
"I understand the need for an open prison system as part of the rehabilitation system.
"I don't believe in locking people up and throwing away the key and the minister has assured me all the usual criteria have been followed.
"But with this particular individual and with some heinous crimes you do have to think should life mean life and is release ever appropriate."
The Ministry of Justice have not commented.