Child killer Colin Pitchfork recalled to prison after 'approaching young girls on walks' just months after walking free

TWISTED double child killer Colin Pitchfork was hauled back to jail after approaching young girls while out walking, it is claimed.

The Sun revealed how the monster, 61, was arrested over “concerning behaviours” just two months after his controversial release from prison in September.

Pitchfork was caged for a minimum of 30 years in 1987 after raping and stranglingLynda Mann in 1983 and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1986.

The child killer was recalled as a preventative measure after approaching young girls while out on long walks, The Mirror reports.

Sources say probation staff were concerned over his "bad attitude" after his release but there is no suggestion he has committed a criminal offence.

He is now the subject of a standard recall – meaning he could in theory be released again in 28 days. 

But his record means he is now almost certain to have to wait for a full Parole Board hearing in four to six months. 

One source told The Sun: “Pitchfork’s licence conditions were so tough that if he stepped out of line he faced recall. 

“Now he has done just that. His behaviour caused great concern and that was behind it.

"It’s thought his attitude and fears he was hiding things were also a problem."

Pitchfork was ruled suitable for release by the Parole Board in March this year despite outrage from his victims' families.

The government also mounted a bid to stop the double killer's release – arguing it was "irrational" to let him go free.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland asked the board to re-examine the decision.

But Pitchfork was released from HMP Leyhill in September after the Parole Board "refused" the appeal.

He is subject to 43 licence conditions including tagging, exclusion zones and a ban on contact with children.

'EVIL'

Dawn's mum, Barbara Ashworth, 75, said last night: “He shouldn't have been released in the first place. The man is evil and he should never have tasted freedom.

"The streets are safer with him in prison, that's how I feel."

Barbara, from Liskeard, Cornwall, added: "He cannot be allowed out again."

While Lynda's younger sister Rebecca Eastwood, 40, said: "It only took nine weeks for him to breach his conditions – which doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

"The first question I asked probation was 'has anybody been hurt?'

"My biggest fear was that he had struck again.

"They told me it's linked to his behaviour – he's been acting a bit shady and they've not liked it. They thought he was up to something.

"I'm absolutely made up that he's back inside and no one has been harmed.

"He's going to get re-evaluated now within 28 days. I just hope they see sense and don't make the same mistake again."

MONSTER SNARED

Rebecca, who now lives on Merseyside, added: "Predators like Pitchfork don't change. I honestly believe he will kill again. He is a monster who will never change."

Pitchfork was the first person in the world to be convicted using DNA evidence when he was locked up for life with a minimum of 30 years.

The monster raped and strangled Lynda as she made her way home from babysitting in Narborough on November 21, 1983.

Three years later, Dawn vanished on the short walk to her home in the neighbouring village of Enderby.

Her body was discovered in the corner of a field hidden under branches.

In 2009, Pitchfork's minimum sentence was reduced from 30 years to 28 years.

The fiend, who was pictured on day release in 2017 wandering through Bristol, applied for parole in 2018 but his plea was rejected.

CONTROVERSIAL RELEASE

But the matter was reconsidered in June this year and the Parole Board deemed he was no longer a danger to the public.

They trawled through more than 1,100 pages of information, victim statements, evidence from Pitchfork and his probation officers, police and a psychologist.

They found he thought "about sex a lot", used "violence and excessive force" and "sex to demonstrate power and control over women" while offending.

The experts also said he "struggled" to cope with anger and loneliness and had a willingness to "seek revenge" but had changed behind bars.

But the government argued he had the "capacity to manipulate and deceive the professionals he had worked with" in their appeal.

They also revealed how Pitchfork gave a shop assistant chocolates while out on day release and lied about being married.

The Probation Service said: “Protecting the public is our priority so when offenders breach conditions and potentially pose a risk, we will return them to custody.”

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