Colin Pitchfork: Double child killer denied parole - BBC News
Colin Pitchfork was jailed in 1988 for the rapes and murders of two 15-year-olds.
A double child killer who was the first person to be convicted of murder using DNA evidence has been refused parole.

Colin Pitchfork was given life sentences in 1988 for the rapes and murders of 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire.

The Parole Board said Pitchfork will be eligible for a further review within two years.

Lynda's mother said the Parole Board had "listened to us before the murderer".

Last year, it emerged Pitchfork would be released from open prison on unsupervised days out.

It had been widely expected that Pitchfork could be approaching final release from prison on parole.

Pitchfork raped 15-year-old Lynda Mann and strangled her with her scarf

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: "We can confirm that a panel of the board has not directed the release of Mr Colin Pitchfork.

"Under current legislation Mr Pitchfork will be eligible for a further review within two years. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice."

Speaking to the BBC, Lynda's mother Kath Eastwood said: "At last the Parole Board have made the right decision [and] put the families of the victims first and listened to us before the murderer.

"Let us hope this continues."

The Ministry of Justice said it does not comment on individuals.