Child murderer Colin Pitchfork released from prison

This story contains reference to child sexual abuse.

Pitchfork was convicted of murdering teenagers Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in the 1980s.

Colin Pitchfork, who was jailed for raping and murdering two children in the 1980s, has been released from prison in the UK. The man, who is now in his 60s, was sentenced to jail for raping and strangling two 15 year-old girls: Lynda Mann in 1983 and Dawn Ashworth in 1986. Both murders took place in Leicestershire. Pitchfork admitted to two counts of murder, two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault. He was the first man to be convicted on murder on the basis of DNA evidence. He was sentenced to a 30 year minimum term, but in 2009, this was cut by two years. He was subsequently moved to an open prison three years ago, and, despite calls to keep him in jail, walked free today. Dawn's mother Barbara Ashworth reacted to his release saying: "Well it was on the books that he was going to be released, but I don't think he should be breathing the same air as us. "It goes without saying that life should have meant life in his case, because he said he was guilty of the offences, the murders of both the girls... and he did a lot more besides." Ms Ashworth said that she was surprised that he had become eligible for release. She later added: "I don't have my daughter back or any of the hopes and dreams that she had in her life. "She was my only daughter and you live your life through them and their future - but that was taken away." In a statement, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice sent their "heartfelt sympathies" to the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth. They said: "Public safety is our top priority, which is why he is subject to some of the strictest licence conditions ever set and will remain under supervision for the rest of his life. "If he breaches these conditions, he faces an immediate return to prison."