First 'DNA-Caught' Killer From Leicestershire Up For Parole

27 April 2015, 19:12 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The Parole Board's begun reviewing the case of the first man to be convicted of murder with DNA evidence, Colin Pitchfork from Leicestershire

He killed 2 school girls from Narborough and Enderby in the 1980's - and was originally sentenced to 30 years.

That was cut to 28 years in 2009.

It could take up to six months for the board to decide if he should be freed.

He was jailed at Leicester Crown Court in 1988 after admitted raping and murdering two 15-year-olds in Narborough and Enderby.

When the sentence was cut by two years in 2009 the judge he still can't be released unless "the safety of the public is assured".

Pitchfork's first victim was 15-year-old Lynda Mann, of Narborough, who was murdered in 1983. Dawn Ashworth, also 15, from Enderby, was killed in 1986. Both girls were raped and strangled.

After the world's first mass screening for DNA - where 5,000 men in three villages were asked to volunteer blood or saliva samples - he was eventually caught.

The Lord Chief Justice at the time said after he was jailed that ''from the point of view of the safety of the public I doubt if he should ever be released''.

A spokesman for the Parole Board said: "We can confirm that the Secretary of State for Justice has referred the case of Colin Pitchfork to the Parole Board for a review of his suitability for release. If the Board does not direct his release, it has been asked to advise the Secretary of State on his suitability for open conditions (Category D prison).''