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Jail term cut for girls' killer Jail term cut for girls' killer
(about 1 hour later)
The first man jailed using DNA evidence has won an appeal against his 30-year minimum sentence for murdering two Leicestershire schoolgirls.The first man jailed using DNA evidence has won an appeal against his 30-year minimum sentence for murdering two Leicestershire schoolgirls.
Colin Pitchfork's tariff was reduced by two years to 28 years by Court of Appeal judges.Colin Pitchfork's tariff was reduced by two years to 28 years by Court of Appeal judges.
The former baker was caught after DNA samples were taken from 5,000 men. He was jailed in 1988. He was jailed in 1988 after admitting raping and murdering Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, who were both 15.
Pitchfork pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to raping and murdering Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, both 15. The court heard the appeal was allowed to a "very... limited extent relating to exceptional progress in custody".
The former baker was finally 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.
'Public safety''Public safety'
Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said the appeal was being allowed to a "very restricted and limited extent relating to exceptional progress in custody". Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said the decision "has no bearing whatever on the continuing effect of the sentence of life imprisonment on the appellant.
He said the decision "has no bearing whatever on the continuing effect of the sentence of life imprisonment on the appellant.
"He cannot be released unless and until the safety of the public is assured," the judge added."He cannot be released unless and until the safety of the public is assured," the judge added.
He has achieved a high standard of education, to degree level Lord Judge
The court heard Pitchfork had become a specialist in the transcription of printed music into Braille.
Lord Judge said his progress since he was first incarcerated "goes far beyond general good behaviour and positive response to his custodial sentence, but reflects very creditable assistance to disabled individuals outside the prison system".
"On the evidence before us he has sought to address the reasons behind the commission of these offences. He has achieved a high standard of education, to degree level."
Pitchfork was jailed after admitting two offences of murder, two of rape, two offences of indecent assault and one offence of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.Pitchfork was jailed after admitting two offences of murder, two of rape, two offences of indecent assault and one offence of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
The then Lord Chief Justice said after he was jailed that "from the point of view of the safety of the public I doubt if he should ever be released".
His first victim, Lynda Mann, from Narborough, was murdered in 1983.His first victim, Lynda Mann, from Narborough, was murdered in 1983.
Three years later he killed Dawn Ashworth, from Enderby.Three years later he killed Dawn Ashworth, from Enderby.
His legal team claimed the 30 years he must serve before being considered for parole was "manifestly excessive".His legal team claimed the 30 years he must serve before being considered for parole was "manifestly excessive".