Darren Pilkington, a 41-year-old career criminal, was granted release from prison to a bail hostel with a curfew, despite having a history of absconding from open prisons. Pilkington was jailed for manslaughter in 2006 after pushing his girlfriend Carly Fairhurst down the stairs during a row, leaving her to die. Her parents, Trevor and Sheila Fairhurst, were appalled by the decision of the Parole Board to release him, considering his violent history. Pilkington has spent 18 years in and out of prisons for various offenses, including absconding from an open prison in 2022.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales revealed that 2.1 million people aged 16 and above experienced domestic abuse in the year ending 2023, with a significant number being women. Pilkington, now using the name Darren Carr, received a sentence of imprisonment for public protection after Carly’s death, requiring a minimal sentence of just over three years before he could seek release repeatedly. Her parents have consistently advocated for keeping Pilkington behind bars, submitting impact statements to his hearings annually. Despite past releases into the community, he has been returned to secure prisons for violating his release terms.
In 2022, Pilkington absconded from Kirkham Open Prison and was on the run for three days before being apprehended in a restricted zone near Wigan, where Carly’s parents still reside. A recent parole hearing decided to release him on license under strict conditions, including residing at a designated location, staying clear of the exclusion zone, abiding by the law, and undergoing enhanced supervision with a curfew and electronic monitoring. Despite previous risk factors in his history, the board heard positive reports of his behavior, completion of programs on addiction recovery, and vocational qualifications.
Carly’s parents have been vocal in opposing the parole decisions concerning Pilkington and raised concerns about the release, given his track record. Trevor Fairhurst expressed disgust at the parole board’s decision, highlighting that Pilkington had no respect for the justice system and their ongoing trauma caused by his actions. Issues of violence, criminal attitudes, substance misuse, and negative peer associations were noted from his past, but recent reports indicated positive progress in his behavior and rehabilitation efforts while incarcerated. The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comments on this controversial release decision.
Domestic abuse statistics indicate a significant prevalence of such incidents, prompting scrutiny of the parole system and decisions regarding violent offenders like Pilkington. The Fairhurst family’s ongoing battle against the parole board’s decisions reflects broader concerns about public safety, victim rights, and offender accountability. Pilkington’s case raises questions about the adequacy of rehabilitation programs, risk assessment processes, and the balance between public protection and offender reintegration. Despite positive reports on his recent behavior, the community remains wary of the potential risks associated with releasing him into society.
