Colin Pitchfork release

[Andy Bee]

As above, this animal has been cleared for release after pleading guilty to raping and brutally murdering two 15yr old girls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth. He was sentenced to life in 1989. Apparently, listening to a QC tonight, life doesn't necessarily mean life in prison but life on license if he can be deemed safe to release into the community at some point, the parole board think he's reached that point. Personally I can't see why he should be given any kind of freedom and for the sake of the girls families I hope he rots in jail although I'd imagine wounds have already reopened with this news. I can't believe I'm saying this but I hope Robert Buckland does the right thing.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/07/worlds-first-killer-convicted-dna-evidence-released-33-years/

[JimBHibees]

Very difficult case and it must be torture for the girls families. Although thirty years does seem quite long it doesn't really if.you are in your 50s like me. Not sure what the answer is however if the prison system is designed to rehabilitate offenders then he probably should be released with proper supervision however certainly wouldn't be wanting to be the one making that call.

[Crunchie]

Very difficult case and it must be torture for the girls families. Although thirty years does seem quite long it doesn't really if.you are in your 50s like me. Not sure what the answer is however if the prison system is designed to rehabilitate offenders then he probably should be released with proper supervision however certainly wouldn't be wanting to be the one making that call.
30 years is nowhere near long enough, he evaded capture with an elaborate plan with a workmate and showed no remorse at all, in fact the complete opposite, it was his bragging about it in a pub that got him nailed.
I'd let him rot in jail.

[heretoday]

If he was 81 I'd feel more comfortable about this but 61? That's the new 51 as they say.
How are the girls' families going to feel seeing this guy striding down the road towards them?

It's the old debate though isn't it?
Can an offender reform, feel genuine remorse, take on board education and training to be a useful member of society again? That's the ultimate aim of the prison service isn't it?

Otherwise you may as well reintroduce capital punishment and save a lot of time and effort.
But that's raises lots of other issues, doesn't it?

[Bostonhibby]

Cunning, evil, heartless schemer who knew exactly what he was doing, we lived in leicester at the time and remember it well.

I generally think there's a place for parole but in this case I'd prefer to see life mean life.

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[calumhibee1]

If he was 81 I'd feel more comfortable about this but 61? That's the new 51 as they say.
How are the girls' families going to feel seeing this guy striding down the road towards them?

It's the old debate though isn't it?
Can an offender reform, feel genuine remorse, take on board education and training to be a useful member of society again? That's the ultimate aim of the prison service isn't it?

Otherwise you may as well reintroduce capital punishment and save a lot of time and effort.
But that's raises lots of other issues, doesn't it?

:agree:

If you’re just going to keep folk locked up forever then as you say, what’s the point?

Prison is as much about rehabilitation as it is punishment. If the guy has been rehabilitated and is deemed safe to be released (with certain conditions) then he should be imo. After all, that’s the ultimate goal with his sentence.

Whether he is or not though I suppose is the issue.

[Sir David Gray]

Cunning, evil, heartless schemer who knew exactly what he was doing, we lived in leicester at the time and remember it well.

I generally think there's a place for parole but in this case I'd prefer to see life mean life.

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:agree: I personally believe the sentence for anyone who has committed the crimes that he has should be life without parole.

[JimBHibees]

:agree: I personally believe the sentence for anyone who has committed the crimes that he has should be life without parole.

Can't really disagree with that and as another poster says he is only 61 rather than a frail elderly person. No getting away with the depravity of the crime and his cunning in avoiding being caught. Certainly wouldn't want to be the person making the call that on the balance of risks that he couldn't do it again.

[heretoday]

:agree:

If you’re just going to keep folk locked up forever then as you say, what’s the point?

Prison is as much about rehabilitation as it is punishment. If the guy has been rehabilitated and is deemed safe to be released (with certain conditions) then he should be imo. After all, that’s the ultimate goal with his sentence.

Whether he is or not though I suppose is the issue.

There will be problems if he's reintroduced to the same society that he left. Problems for the relatives of the victims and problems for him with the inevitable lynch mobs etc. Some would say he should be accorded a new name and a new life in a different part of the country. Yet why should he receive treatment that almost seems like a reward for his crimes? Lots of innocent, decent folk would quite fancy a new life!

[EH6 Hibby]

I’m all for rehabilitation in most cases, but this is not someone who made a mistake or got carried away. This is a dangerous predator who raped and murdered 2 young girls. One of them while his baby son slept metres away in his car. He was also a flasher on top of that. I don’t think that kind of evil can be rehabilitated.

[calumhibee1]

I’m all for rehabilitation in most cases, but this is not someone who made a mistake or got carried away. This is a dangerous predator who raped and murdered 2 young girls. One of them while his baby son slept metres away in his car. He was also a flasher on top of that. I don’t think that kind of evil can be rehabilitated.

I suppose the argument is that the people that decide whether he’s suitable for release or not will be the judges as to whether he’s still a dangerous predator or not. If he is then he’ll be kept in jail.

Is there many examples of lifers getting out early and going back to their old ways? There may well be hundreds, I’ve no idea.

[Andy Bee]

I suppose the argument is that the people that decide whether he’s suitable for release or not will be the judges as to whether he’s still a dangerous predator or not. If he is then he’ll be kept in jail.

Is there many examples of lifers getting out early and going back to their old ways? There may well be hundreds, I’ve no idea.

Didn't one of the Jamie Bulger killers reoffend and end up back in jail?

I'm of the opinion that in this case someone who committed the crimes that Pitchfork did then he shouldn't see the light of day, rehabilitated or not. We had a similar discussion a few years ago on here, I can't remember the person but it was similar circumstances and I mentioned chemical castration, not as a punishment but as a way of taking away the urges these people get, I'm still of the opinion this should happen or at least a serious discussion by the powers that be should happen around it.

[Ozyhibby]

I’m generally in favour of rehabilitation and think prison is a useless way of dealing with offenders generally but would happily trade life meaning life in for people who commit these types of crimes if we could stop using prison altogether for much lesser offences, especially non violent ones.


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[heretoday]

I’m generally in favour of rehabilitation and think prison is a useless way of dealing with offenders generally but would happily trade life meaning life in for people who commit these types of crimes if we could stop using prison altogether for much lesser offences, especially non violent ones.


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It depends on several factors. Should a psychotic who forgets to take his medicine and consequently commits a violent act be imprisoned?

Should an internet fraudster who hacks the savings accounts of you and me escape the jail? Personally, I'd see the fraudster put away and the former dealt with a different way.

But that's just me.

[easty]

I’m all for rehabilitation in prisons, but it should be a punishment first. You break the law, you need to be punished, not just taught you were wrong.

I couldn’t care less how safe he’s deemed to be, his punishment for horrendous crimes should mean he spends the rest of his useful life in jail. Let him go home to die when he’s no longer fit enough to enjoy what comes with freedom.

[ACLeith]

On LBC a caller was a woman who was in the same class at school as the younger brother of one of the victims. Pitchfork had flashed at her between the 2 murders so she knew she could also have been a victim.

Now a mother with a grown up family but insists her daughter always phones her to let her know she is ok.

She was obviously opposed to his release and will carry the trauma for the rest of her life.

No easy answer but her intelligent response was impressive and must surely carry the argument.

[Ozyhibby]

It depends on several factors. Should a psychotic who forgets to take his medicine and consequently commits a violent act be imprisoned?

Should an internet fraudster who hacks the savings accounts of you and me escape the jail? Personally, I'd see the fraudster put away and the former dealt with a different way.

But that's just me.

I’m not saying prison shouldn’t be an option but with the tech we have today, the fraudster could be placed under house arrest with permission only to attend work etc. There are lots of people in jail right now who could still have their Liberty denied but at the same time as being rehabilitated properly.


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[blackpoolhibs]

There is a case for parole in most cases, but not cold hearted murder. Do that and it should always mean life in my opinion, i can see the case for someone who's been unlucky and got in a fight, landed a punch and the other persons died, there was no intent to murder.

But this **** did it on purpose, and for me should spend the rest of his days in jail, i'd give killers the option of a lethal injection if i were in charge, but i suppose thats just me.

[Kato]

There is a case for parole in most cases, but not cold hearted murder. Do that and it should always mean life in my opinion, i can see the case for someone who's been unlucky and got in a fight, landed a punch and the other persons died, there was no intent to murder.

But this **** did it on purpose, and for me should spend the rest of his days in jail, i'd give killers the option of a lethal injection if i were in charge, but i suppose thats just me.Agreed. Not sure it's possible for someone capable of those crimes to be rehabilitated. It's not like he was a thief or burglar looking to make ends meet.

Cold hearted as you say, he deserves a cold hearted response.

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[neil7908]

I consider myself a woke, metropolitan Liberal elite lefty but this guy should never be released. Morally I would actually have no issue with him being given the death penalty but that's a question for another day.

I'm not sure someone that commits a crime like this can ever be reformed, and even if they are, I don't believe that should matter given the severity of offence.

[Bostonhibby]

Agreed. Not sure it's possible for someone capable of those crimes to be rehabilitated. It's not like he was a thief or burglar looking to make ends meet.

Cold hearted as you say, he deserves a cold hearted response.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using TapatalkCunning calculating individual with absolutely no conscience, who's to say he hasn't conned his way through the parole process, wouldn't be the first.

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[CloudSquall]

There is a case for parole in most cases, but not cold hearted murder. Do that and it should always mean life in my opinion, i can see the case for someone who's been unlucky and got in a fight, landed a punch and the other persons died, there was no intent to murder.

But this **** did it on purpose, and for me should spend the rest of his days in jail, i'd give killers the option of a lethal injection if i were in charge, but i suppose thats just me.

I wrestle in my mind over the idea of lethal injection etc but in cases like this it's hard to argue against it, I really fail to see how someone like this can be rehabilitated and become a functioning part of society.

[Skol]

I dont recall anything about these crimes at the time which I find unusual as its the kind of thing that is usually big news and sticks in the mind

It is however a really difficult situation as every offender has the right to re-habilitate and none of us know what has happened and if/how he has changed while in prison. Part of me wants to give the benefit of the doubt. 30 years is a long time.

On the other hand, the crimes are horrific and the last thing we want is for him to start to offend again, or come into contact with friends and family of the victims.

[Andy Bee]

Listened to a lot around this today, he actually left his baby boy in the back of the car whilst he sauntered off, raped and brutally murdered Lynda Mann then returned to the car, drove home and put his son to bed.
Apparently in his rehabilitation he's became a leading world expert at converting written music to brail along with helping a lot of fellow prisoners. The parole board seem to be of the conclusion that he is a totally different person, they're very experienced and include two judges as they've learnt their lesson from the Worboys fiasco. A member of CREST thinks the decision is water tight and he'll get out. I couldn't give a flying one if he managed world peace and cured cancer I focus more on the families and the carnage he's caused, he should be jailed for life.

[Bostonhibby]

Listened to a lot around this today, he actually left his baby boy in the back of the car whilst he sauntered off, raped and brutally murdered Lynda Mann then returned to the car, drove home and put his son to bed.
Apparently in his rehabilitation he's became a leading world expert at converting written music to brail along with helping a lot of fellow prisoners. The parole board seem to be of the conclusion that he is a totally different person, they're very experienced and include two judges as they've learnt their lesson from the Worboys fiasco. A member of CREST thinks the decision is water tight and he'll get out. I couldn't give a flying one if he managed world peace and cured cancer I focus more on the families and the carnage he's caused, he should be jailed for life.

I'm the same, I'm pretty sure he could carry on with his atonement through converting music into braille and helping prisoners whilst in prison.

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[Sir David Gray]

Listened to a lot around this today, he actually left his baby boy in the back of the car whilst he sauntered off, raped and brutally murdered Lynda Mann then returned to the car, drove home and put his son to bed.
Apparently in his rehabilitation he's became a leading world expert at converting written music to brail along with helping a lot of fellow prisoners. The parole board seem to be of the conclusion that he is a totally different person, they're very experienced and include two judges as they've learnt their lesson from the Worboys fiasco. A member of CREST thinks the decision is water tight and he'll get out. I couldn't give a flying one if he managed world peace and cured cancer I focus more on the families and the carnage he's caused, he should be jailed for life.

Agreed.

It's great if he's become a positive influence on other prisoners, it sounds like he could continue to be an asset to prison life for the next 20-30 years - there's no way he should be let out.

[Bostonhibby]

https://click.e.change.org/f/a/IiVPoW3e65OXdGqFdnNKpQ~~/AANj1QA~/RgRioi4zP4RNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5nZS5vcmcvcC9jb2 xpbi1waXRjaGZvcmstbmV2ZXItcmVsZWFzZS10aGlzLW1vbnN0 ZXIvc2lnbmF0dXJlcy9jb25maXJtP2NzX3RrPUFqZHhGYThFNm FVQ0g3T2R3MkFBQVhpY3l5dk55UUVBQkY4QnZDRVZoYm9QYTJR aTRrV25mZ0ZLRzNRJTNEJnRva2VuPTIwY2UwMTk4LTg0MjgtND c0NC05OGFiLTFjYTI1N2ZlMDVjMyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MTQy OGM1N2U4MTdmNGY2YWI1NzllM2EwNDYyNDI2MTkmdXRtX2Nvbn RlbnQ9aW5pdGlhbF92MF8xXzAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1 dG1fc291cmNlPWd1ZXN0X3NpZ25fbG9naW5fbGluayZ1dG1fdG VybT1jc1cDc3BjQgpguTOpv2AZ6u1hUhlrZXZpbi5iYWxkQGJ0 aW50ZXJuZXQuY29tWAQAAAAC

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[Crunchie]

[QUOTE=Bostonhibby;6589873]https://click.e.change.org/f/a/IiVPoW3e65OXdGqFdnNKpQ~~/AANj1QA~/RgRioi4zP4RNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5nZS5vcmcvcC9jb2 xpbi1waXRjaGZvcmstbmV2ZXItcmVsZWFzZS10aGlzLW1vbnN0 ZXIvc2lnbmF0dXJlcy9jb25maXJtP2NzX3RrPUFqZHhGYThFNm FVQ0g3T2R3MkFBQVhpY3l5dk55UUVBQkY4QnZDRVZoYm9QYTJR aTRrV25mZ0ZLRzNRJTNEJnRva2VuPTIwY2UwMTk4LTg0MjgtND c0NC05OGFiLTFjYTI1N2ZlMDVjMyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MTQy OGM1N2U4MTdmNGY2YWI1NzllM2EwNDYyNDI2MTkmdXRtX2Nvbn RlbnQ9aW5pdGlhbF92MF8xXzAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1 dG1fc291cmNlPWd1ZXN0X3NpZ25fbG9naW5fbGluayZ1dG1fdG VybT1jc1cDc3BjQgpguTOpv2AZ6u1hUhlrZXZpbi5iYWxkQGJ0 aW50ZXJuZXQuY29tWAQAAAAC




:aok:

[Hibrandenburg]

It depends on several factors. Should a psychotic who forgets to take his medicine and consequently commits a violent act be imprisoned?

Should an internet fraudster who hacks the savings accounts of you and me escape the jail? Personally, I'd see the fraudster put away and the former dealt with a different way.

But that's just me.

What's sick and what's pure evil? Someone psychotic who hasn't taken their meds, someone who is so wrongly wired that it makes them want to do odious things but who has slipped under the radar or both?

[CMurdoch]

[QUOTE=Bostonhibby;6589873]https://click.e.change.org/f/a/IiVPoW3e65OXdGqFdnNKpQ~~/AANj1QA~/RgRioi4zP4RNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5nZS5vcmcvcC9jb2 xpbi1waXRjaGZvcmstbmV2ZXItcmVsZWFzZS10aGlzLW1vbnN0 ZXIvc2lnbmF0dXJlcy9jb25maXJtP2NzX3RrPUFqZHhGYThFNm FVQ0g3T2R3MkFBQVhpY3l5dk55UUVBQkY4QnZDRVZoYm9QYTJR aTRrV25mZ0ZLRzNRJTNEJnRva2VuPTIwY2UwMTk4LTg0MjgtND c0NC05OGFiLTFjYTI1N2ZlMDVjMyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MTQy OGM1N2U4MTdmNGY2YWI1NzllM2EwNDYyNDI2MTkmdXRtX2Nvbn RlbnQ9aW5pdGlhbF92MF8xXzAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1 dG1fc291cmNlPWd1ZXN0X3NpZ25fbG9naW5fbGluayZ1dG1fdG VybT1jc1cDc3BjQgpguTOpv2AZ6u1hUhlrZXZpbi5iYWxkQGJ0 aW50ZXJuZXQuY29tWAQAAAAC

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[Kato]

[QUOTE=Bostonhibby;6589873]https://click.e.change.org/f/a/IiVPoW3e65OXdGqFdnNKpQ~~/AANj1QA~/RgRioi4zP4RNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5nZS5vcmcvcC9jb2 xpbi1waXRjaGZvcmstbmV2ZXItcmVsZWFzZS10aGlzLW1vbnN0 ZXIvc2lnbmF0dXJlcy9jb25maXJtP2NzX3RrPUFqZHhGYThFNm FVQ0g3T2R3MkFBQVhpY3l5dk55UUVBQkY4QnZDRVZoYm9QYTJR aTRrV25mZ0ZLRzNRJTNEJnRva2VuPTIwY2UwMTk4LTg0MjgtND c0NC05OGFiLTFjYTI1N2ZlMDVjMyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MTQy OGM1N2U4MTdmNGY2YWI1NzllM2EwNDYyNDI2MTkmdXRtX2Nvbn RlbnQ9aW5pdGlhbF92MF8xXzAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1 dG1fc291cmNlPWd1ZXN0X3NpZ25fbG9naW5fbGluayZ1dG1fdG VybT1jc1cDc3BjQgpguTOpv2AZ6u1hUhlrZXZpbi5iYWxkQGJ0 aW50ZXJuZXQuY29tWAQAAAAC

Sent from my SM-A750FN usingThat is strong stuff. His appeal to have his sentence shortened shows he has some gall. Feels sociopathic.

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[EH6 Hibby]

I dont recall anything about these crimes at the time which I find unusual as its the kind of thing that is usually big news and sticks in the mind

It is however a really difficult situation as every offender has the right to re-habilitate and none of us know what has happened and if/how he has changed while in prison. Part of me wants to give the benefit of the doubt. 30 years is a long time.

On the other hand, the crimes are horrific and the last thing we want is for him to start to offend again, or come into contact with friends and family of the victims.

What we also need to remember is, that had it not been for groundbreaking DNA technology having just been developed and his co-conspirator getting drunk and bragging in a pub that he’d taken the test for Pitchfork, he would never have been caught and there can be no doubt he would have gone on to murder more young girls, people like that don’t stop unless they are stopped.

[Hibernia&Alba]

What we also need to remember is, that had it not been for groundbreaking DNA technology having just been developed and his co-conspirator getting drunk and bragging in a pub that he’d taken the test for Pitchfork, he would never have been caught and there can be no doubt he would have gone on to murder more young girls, people like that don’t stop unless they are stopped.

:agree:

Pitchfork was the first ever conviction via DNA technology. An absolute deviant.


https://youtu.be/b6D78LUOkL8

[Hibernia&Alba]

Pitchfork released today.

[EH6 Hibby]

Pitchfork released today.

Quote from the Ministry of Justice. "Public safety is our top priority, which is why he is subject to some of the strictest licence conditions ever set and will remain under supervision for the rest of his life."

I sincerely hope that this is true, however, I still maintain that some people are beyond rehabilitation, and I think he is one of them.

[Berwickhibby]

Pitchfork back in prison after breach of licence ....Good !!!

[DaveF]

Pitchfork back in prison after breach of licence ....Good !!!

Does his return have a time limit or does he now serve out the rest of his sentence?

[Pretty Boy]

Does his return have a time limit or does he now serve out the rest of his sentence?

He'll go back before the parole board next month and they will make a decision then.

They will most likely order a full hearing to determine his suitability for re-release.