Double child killer Colin Pitchfork can be released from jail

Colin Pitchfork, who raped and murdered two schoolgirls, can be released from jail, the Parole Board has confirmed.

The killer was jailed for life after strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.

Pitchfork has spent 33 years in prison after being last denied parole in 2018.

So, who is Colin Pitchfork?

Here is everything you need to know.

Who is Colin Pitchfork?

Pitchfork, now 61, was a baker who grew up in rural Leicestershire and lived in the small town of Littlethorpe.

Married with two sons, he was 22 when he murdered 15-year-old Lynda Mann in Narborough when she was making her way to a friend’s house.

In November 1983, he left his son to sleep in the back of his car before raping and strangling the schoolgirl.

Afterwards, he drove home and put his baby to bed.

Three years later, Pitchfork raped and murdered Dawn Ashworth, who was also 15, from Enderby.

The second killing happened less than a mile from where Lynda died.

How was Pitchfork caught?

Pitchfork became the first murderer in the world to be convicted using DNA evidence.

However, the initial police investigation led to the wrong suspect - a local 17-year-old who falsely said he had committed one of the murders.