Colin Pitchfork
Colin Pitchfork is a British double child-murderer and rapist. He was the first person convicted of rape and murder using DNA profiling after he murdered two girls in neighbouring Leicestershire villages: Lynda Mann in Narborough in November 1983, and Dawn Ashworth in Enderby in July 1986. He was arrested on 19 September 1987 and was sentenced to life imprisonment on 22 January 1988 after pleading guilty to both murders, with the judge giving him a 30-year minimum term (reduced to 28 years on appeal).
Colin Pitchfork | |
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Pitchfork after his arrest in September 1987 | |
| Born | Colin Pitchfork 23 March 1960 Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, UK |
| Occupation | Baker |
| Known for | First person convicted using DNA evidence |
| Criminal status | Recalled to prison |
| Children | 2 |
| Conviction(s) | Murder, rape, sexual assault & perverting the course of justice (22 Jan 1988) |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
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Span of crimes | 1979–1986 |
He was granted parole in June 2021, and was released on licence on 1 September that year. On 19 November the same year, he was recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions. Pitchfork was granted parole a second time in June 2023, but after intervention from the Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk the Parole Board reviewed its decision and decided not to release him.