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DNA murderer in sentence appeal | DNA murderer in sentence appeal |
(10 minutes later) | |
The first person in the world to be convicted on the basis of DNA evidence has been given permission to challenge his sentence. | The first person in the world to be convicted on the basis of DNA evidence has been given permission to challenge his sentence. |
Colin Pitchfork, 48, was jailed for life in 1988 for the murder of two schoolgirls in Leicestershire. | Colin Pitchfork, 48, was jailed for life in 1988 for the murder of two schoolgirls in Leicestershire. |
He is currently serving a minimum term of 30 years. | He is currently serving a minimum term of 30 years. |
Judges at the Appeal Court in London granted Pitchfork permission to appeal after his lawyers claimed the 30 years were "manifestly" excessive. | |
He wants his sentence reduced to 20 years - meaning he would be eligible to apply for release on parole. | He wants his sentence reduced to 20 years - meaning he would be eligible to apply for release on parole. |
But Appeal Court judges warned they did not think the sentence would be cut when his case was fully considered at a later date. | |
Pitchfork, a baker, was jailed at Leicester Crown Court after pleading guilty to murder, rape, indecent assault and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. | |
It would be wholly inappropriate to reduce what I regard as a modest sentence for truly horrific crimes Mr Justice Grigson, Court of Appeal | It would be wholly inappropriate to reduce what I regard as a modest sentence for truly horrific crimes Mr Justice Grigson, Court of Appeal |
His first victim was 15-year-old Lynda Mann, of Narborough, who was murdered in 1983. | His first victim was 15-year-old Lynda Mann, of Narborough, who was murdered in 1983. |
Three years later he murdered Dawn Ashworth, from Enderby, who was also 15. | |
Both girls were raped and strangled. | Both girls were raped and strangled. |
Pitchfork was eventually caught after the world's first mass screening for DNA in which 5,000 men in three villages were asked to volunteer blood or saliva samples. | Pitchfork was eventually caught after the world's first mass screening for DNA in which 5,000 men in three villages were asked to volunteer blood or saliva samples. |
Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, sitting with two other judges, said: "We do not hold out great hope to the appellant that in the end the period of 30 years, which is a substantial reduction from a whole life tariff, will be reduced by this court." | Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, sitting with two other judges, said: "We do not hold out great hope to the appellant that in the end the period of 30 years, which is a substantial reduction from a whole life tariff, will be reduced by this court." |
He said the offences committed by Pitchfork were of the "most serious and terrible kind" but permission was being granted as his case raised "arguable issues." | He said the offences committed by Pitchfork were of the "most serious and terrible kind" but permission was being granted as his case raised "arguable issues." |
A second judge, Mr Justice Grigson, said it would be "wholly inappropriate to reduce what I regard as a modest sentence for truly horrific crimes". |