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'Helen's Law': Killers who conceal victims' bodies face parole refusal under new rules

Legislation introduced following campaign by mother of murdered Helen McCourt

Peter Stubley
Saturday 06 July 2019 09:11 BST
Marie McCourt, pictured, with a photo of her daughter, Helen, who disappeared in 1988 at the age of 22
Marie McCourt, pictured, with a photo of her daughter, Helen, who disappeared in 1988 at the age of 22

Murderers who refuse to reveal the location of their victims’ bodies could be prevented from leaving prison under a new law.

The legislation was introduced following a four-year campaign by the mother of Helen McCourt. a 22 year-old insurance clerk who disappeared on her way home from work in 1988.

Marie McCourt said her daughter’s killer, Ian Simms, should not be given parole until he discloses where he hid Helen’s remains.

MPs voted in favour of “Helen’s Law” in 2016 but it only received government backing with a formal announcement by justice secretary David Gauke this week.

It places a legal duty on the Parole Board to take into account the killer’s failure to “disclose the site of a victim’s remains”.

Ms McCourt, from St Helens, Merseyside, said she was “elated and quite relieved” that the changeshe wanted was finally happening.

“I really can’t believe it,” she said. ”I have been trying for so long, It has been a terrible stress on me since I started the petition in 2015. It was voted for in Parliament but then it was delayed after the general election. I just know Brexit took up too much time in Parliament.

“This legislation will mean that myself and many other families will, hopefully, not have to endure the torture of not knowing where their loved ones remains can be recovered from.”

Ms McCourt said she had written to Simms begging him to tell her where he had hidden Helen’s body.

“I still hope he will remain in prison until he tells me,” she added. “I hope one day I will know.”

Ms McCourt’s MP Conor McGinn, who supported her campaign, said it was an “important step” for getting justice for families.

Simms, a pub landlord, was convicted of abducting and murdering Helen McCourt after DNA evidence was presented in court.

He maintains his innocence and refuses to reveal the location of her body.

Mr Gauke said: “It is a particular cruelty to deny grieving families the opportunity to lay their murdered loved one to rest and I have immense sympathy with Marie McCourt and others in her situation. The profound grief inflicted on families and friends of the murdered is incalculable.

“Those responsible should know that if they choose to compound this further through their behaviour, they will be held accountable.”

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Parole Board guidance already states offenders who withhold information may still pose a risk to the public and could therefore face longer in prison.

But Helen’s Law will for the first time make it a legal requirement to consider the refusal when making a decision on whether to release an offender, the Ministry of Justice said.

It is hoped the legislation will be brought into force as soon as possible.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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