What Next For Colin Pitchfork?

The case of Colin Pitchfork has been covered here more than once, but if you haven’t heard of this odious individual, he raped and murdered two teenage girls in the 1980s then allowed a none-too-bright teenager to take the rap, or he would have but for a new scientific development. Pitchfork was the first murderer to be convicted by DNA evidence; due to the nature and gravity of his crimes, one would have expected him never to see daylight again. Alas…

In Britain, many convicted murderers are paroled, albeit often with fairly strict conditions. The friends and family of victims are usually unhappy with this, but it is a fact of life. That being said, this wasn’t a case of a  drunk pulling a knife on a nightclubber or a street robbery gone wrong. Had Pitchfork committed one murder in the circumstances he did, there would be a case for releasing him after thirty years, maybe, but two victims on separate occasions – and these were far from his only crimes – the questions of rehabilitation and public safety shouldn’t arise.

The only case comparable with this is that of Paul Callow, a serial rapist who was given a twenty year sentence in Canada and on his release went on TV spouting feminist idiocy about the objectification of women. There is no evidence that Pitchfork has been subject to such absurd indoctrination, but all the same it is difficult to conclude other than that his release was some sort of bizarre social experiment.

The numbers vary but according to one report, Pitchfork was said to be subject to 43 conditions, 36 more than the average convicted murderer. These included a curfew, tests for drugs and alcohol, and tagging. These are all labour intensive procedures, and it is difficult to justify them.

Pitchfork has been trying to work his ticket since at least 2009, and very likely since his conviction. In prison, he transcribed music into Braille, but so did Michael Ross, the serial killer known as the Roadside Strangler. Ross was executed in 2005; as Pitchfork was never in danger of execution, he should have been satisfied with that. Thankfully, it appears now that he may have to be. He was paroled on September 1 with a new identity. It took no time at all for this to be uncovered or leaked, ditto the hostel where he was placed. He has been photographed walking around and riding a bicycle.

Less than three weeks after his release, it was reported that vigilantes were planning to ensure his parole conditions were academic; it remains to be seen how much of this was the usual cyber bluster, but it was reported the police were preparing to move him. That will not happen now, because last week his licence was revoked and he is now back behind bars where he belongs. Hostel staff were said to be concerned about his behaviour. He was said to have been attempting to strike up conversations with women while taking long walks. It may simply have been that he was lonely, but thankfully the authorities are not prepared to give him that much credit.

So what now? It appears he will be held in a closed prison for the time being and within six months he will be entitled to a full Parole Board hearing which will decide if he can be moved back to an open prison like he was before.  Most people, including the MP Alberto Costa, believe this pantomime has gone on long enough and that Pitchfork should remain behind bars for the foreseeable future.  One can only hope the Parole Board takes that view this time, though considering its appalling track record, no one should count on it.