A double rapist who murdered a teenager has failed in another bid to be freed from prison.

Anthony Entwistle was jailed for life in March 1988 for the murder of Michelle Calvy, a Witton Park High School pupil.

He abducted the 16-year-old Blackburn schoolgirl while she was walking along a canal before raping and strangling her and then dumping her body at a Tockholes beauty spot, in a crime that shocked the town.

Entwistle, then in his late 30s, carried out the attack within a few weeks of being released after serving a 10-year sentence for rape.

He had earlier been sentenced to seven years for two similar offences.

The Parole Board considered his case last month after the killer, now in his 70s, “indicated through his legal representative that he wished to be released” or, failing that, transferred to an open prison.

Lancashire Telegraph: Michelle CalvyMichelle Calvy

A document detailing the Parole Board’s decision said: “After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the other evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Entwistle was suitable for release.

"Nor was a recommendation made to the Secretary of State that Mr Entwistle should be transferred to open prison.”

At the time of his offending, Entwistle acted in a “predatory manner”, had a preference for sex involving violence and “poor emotional control” as well as lacking “empathy” for his victims, according to the parole papers.

While his behaviour behind bars “presented no problems”, no-one could recommend he be released because there was “insufficient evidence of reduction in risks and not enough understanding by Mr Entwistle of his key risk factors”.

The document added: “The panel considered that there had essentially been no progress since Mr Entwistle’s last parole review in 2018.

“As Mr Entwistle had not sufficiently reduced his risks to the public, he was appropriately located in custody.

"Any benefits of a move to open conditions at this time were considered to be outweighed by the remaining risks that Mr Entwistle represents.”

Initially he was handed a whole-life tariff, which at that time could be set by the then-home secretary, meaning he would die behind bars.

But in March 2009 Entwistle’s whole life term was overturned by a High Court judge who instead imposed a minimum 25-year tariff for him to serve before being eligible to apply for parole.

This was his fifth review since he became eligible for parole in 2012.

He is due for another review in about two years’ time.