Double child killer Colin Pitchfork has walked free from prison in the UK after bids to keep him behind bars for longer failed.
Pitchfork, now in his early 60s, was jailed for life after raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.
He became the first man convicted of murder on the basis of DNA evidence in 1988 as he admitted two murders, two rapes, two indecent assaults and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Pitchfork's 30-year minimum term was cut by two years in 2009, he was moved to an open prison three years ago and released today.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth following the independent Parole Board's decision to release Colin Pitchfork.
"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."
Reacting to the release, Dawn's mother, Barbara Ashworth, said: "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."
Asked if she was surprised Pitchfork had become eligible for release, Ms Ashworth said: "Yes, I think so. They did say that if it had been done today he wouldn't have been let out.
"But that doesn't excuse anything. 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."
Following a hearing in March, the Parole Board ruled that Pitchfork was "suitable for release", despite this being denied in 2016 and 2018.
In June, Britain's justice minister Robert Buckland asked the board, which is independent of the government, to re-examine the decision under the so-called reconsideration mechanism.
But the Parole Board rejected the government challenge against its ruling the following month, announcing that the application to reconsider the decision had been refused.
Mr Buckland expressed his disappointment but said he respected the decision.
Pitchfork is now subject to more than 40 licence conditions, which the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) described as some of the strictest "ever set". Typically there are seven standard conditions for offenders leaving prison but Pitchfork will have to meet a further 36 requirements.
Safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins told LBC there is a "very strong regime of controls" put on offenders who leave prison, when asked whether she is happy with the plan for Pitchfork's release and if she is confident in the safeguarding measures that will be put in place.
Pitchfork will be placed on the sex offenders register and have to live at a designated address, be supervised by probation, wear an electronic tag, take part in polygraph - lie detector - tests, and have to disclose what vehicles he uses and who he speaks to, while also facing particular limits on contact with children.
He will be subject to a curfew, have restrictions on using technology, and face limitations on where he can go.
An MoJ spokesman said the department's "heartfelt sympathies" remain with the families, adding: "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."
The government plans to overhaul the parole system, with the findings of a review expected later this year. It has also sought to change the law so child killers face life behind bars without parole.
