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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 him permission to appeal after Pitchfork claimed the 30 years were "manifestly" excessive. 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 judges in the Court of Appeal warned him they did not think the sentence would be cut when his case is fully considered at a later date. 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 two offences of murder, two of rape, two offences of indecent assault and one offence of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. 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 AppealIt 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.
His other victim, Dawn Ashworth, also 15, from Enderby, was killed in 1986. 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, ruled that it would be "wholly inappropriate to reduce what I regard as a modest sentence for truly horrific crimes". 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".