Child killer Colin Pitchfork who raped and murdered two schoolgirls to be allowed out on UNSUPERVISED day release
The family of murder victim Lynda Mann claim he is still a 'danger to the public'.
A NOTORIOUS double child killer is to be allowed out from prison on unsupervised day trips.
Colin Pitchfork was jailed for life in 1988 for the rape and murder of schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire.
The 55-year-old was the first person convicted of a crime based on DNA fingerprinting evidence, and the first to be caught as a result of mass DNA screening.
Earlier this year, decisions to move Pitchfork to an open prison and then grant him visits out with a guard sparked anger among the relatives of his victims.
But now they have been told "a series of unescorted releases on temporary licence will be happening in the near future."
Prison authorities claim a "robust risk management plan will be in place."
But Lynda's sister, Rebecca Eastwood, said her family was outraged by the latest development - and still considered Pitchfork a "danger to the public".
She told the : "It's only a couple of months since we were told that he was being allowed out under the escort of a guard.
"The news he is to be allowed out without an escort has come as a real shock to us. It all seems to be moving so quickly.
"If it carries on like this, it's only going to be a matter of months before he's allowed out on his own for weeks at a time.
"When he is out on his own he will be able to speak to people and they will have no idea who he is and what he has done.
"He is not allowed in Leicestershire or to approach any of us.
"But we don't know what he looks like now or even what part of the country he is in.
"He's still in his 50s. He still has a lot of time ahead of him and we still think he is a danger to the public."
A letter to the families from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated: "The offender is now progressing through the process and is reaching the next significant stage, which will be unescorted day release.
"This has been approved and the series of unescorted releases on temporary licence will be happening in the near future.
"There will be a robust risk management plan in place."
Pitchfork moved to an open prison, the location of which was not revealed to his victim's families, after an assessment by probation officers and other specialists found him to be a suitable candidate.
More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition, set up by Lynda's family, to call for his release to be blocked - with a further 7,000 signing a paper version.
Pitchfork raped and strangled Lynda, 15, in November 1983. The teenager had left her home to visit a friend - but never returned.
Her body was found the next morning on a deserted footpath.
Three years later, Pitchfork, who worked as a baker, struck again - killing and raping Dawn in almost identical circumstances.
Her body was found less than a mile from where Lynda had been attacked.
After Dawn's killing, Leicestershire Police launched the largest manhunt in its history, asking more than 5,000 local men to volunteer blood or saliva samples in a bid to match samples taken from the crime scenes.
No matches were found, but in 1987 a bakery colleague was overheard boasting that he'd received £200 for giving a sample while posing as Pitchfork.
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The conversation was reported to police, and a month later Pitchfork was arrested.
He pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Lynda and Dawn, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years. This was reduced on appeal to 28 years in 2009.
The Lord Chief Justice at the time of his sentencing said: "From the point of view of the safety of the public I doubt if he should ever be released."
Earlier this year, a MoJ spokesman said he could not comment on individual cases when asked about Pitchfork.
However, he added: "All offenders must meet strict criteria and pass a full risk assessment before being considered for release on temporary licence (ROTL).
"ROTL is considered for offenders towards the end of their sentence, taking into account their individual resettlement needs. It helps build and maintain family ties, which is proven to help re-offending.
"Those who fail to comply with the conditions of a ROTL can be returned to closed prisons where they may have to serve additional time."
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