Vile double child killer Colin Pitchfork’s parole hearing to be in public

CHILD killer Colin Pitchfork’s next parole hearing will be in public, officials have decided.

The 64-year-old, who raped and strangled two 15-year-old girls, will face the board in July.

Pitchfork was jailed for life in 1988 after killing Lynda Mann in 1983 and Dawn Ashworth in 1986, both in Leicestershire.

Parole hearings are typically in private.

But following law changes to remove the secrecy behind the process, they can he held in public in certain circumstances.

Caroline Corby, of the Parole Board for England and Wales, said: “Mr Pitchfork’s case is a high profile one.

“It has become even more high profile due to the events that have taken place in the proceedings.

“There is therefore a public interest in increasing understanding which can properly be taken into account when considering the interests of justice test.

“There is also a public interest in the potential for transparency going forward to help restore confidence in the criminal justice system.

The Ministry of Justice said the Lord Chancellor is in “full support” of the hearing being in public.

Conservative MP for South Leicestershire Alberto Costa, who has been campaigning against Pitchfork’s release, had been campaigning for a public hearing and said he “welcomed” the decision.