What is Helen’s Law, who was Helen McCourt and what does it mean?
MURDERERS who refuse to reveal where their victim’s body is hidden will be denied parole until they spill the secret under a new “Helen’s Law”.
MPs backed the law, named after murdered Helen McCourt, in October 2016 after a petition to have it introduced gained 590,000 signatures. But what is it and how does it affect parole?
Who was Helen McCourt?
Helen McCourt was a 22-year-old insurance clerk who was murdered in Billinge, Merseyside, on February 9, 1988.
She vanished on her way home from work and her body has never been found.
A police investigation was launched with cops eventually being led to the George and Dragon pub where killer Ian Simms was the landlord.
Helen had worked there as a barmaid and was a known regular.
The tragic victim’s blood and fingerprints were found in Simm’s flat above the pub and part of an earring matching one of Helen’s was found in the suspect’s car.
Later clothes belonging to Helen and Simms were found at two separate locations.
Simms still insists he is innocent and has remained in prison long past his 16-year sentence.
Last year he was moved to an open prison and could be released sometime in the future.
What is Helen's Law?
Officially known as Unlawful Killing (Recovery of Remains) Act, Helen's law states that killers should be refused parole if they do not reveal the location of their victim’s body.
The prisoners would remain in prison for the rest of their lives if they refused to co-operate with investigators.
Introduced by Labour MP Conor McGinn, whose constituency includes Billinge where the murder happened, politicians voted in favour of the law on October 11, 2016.
The law had been waiting for government backing until it was passed on July 6, 2019.
The legislation — announced by Justice Secretary David Gauke — means Parole Boards must take into account whether a killer has revealed the harrowing details.
Judges already had the ability to take non-disclosure of bodies into account when sentencing cold-blooded killers.
Critics have pointed out that the law could impact prisoners who have been the victims of a miscarriage of justice.
Mr McGinn, who has worked closely with Helen’s mother Marie, said: “No one should be forced to endure the anguish that Marie McCourt and her family and the relatives of other victims have suffered.
“Helen’s Law will hopefully go some way towards helping put right the terrible wrong that has been inflicted on them.”
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Determined mother Marie hopes the law will encourage murderers into co-operating with police.
She said: “To take a life is bad enough, but to then hide the body and refuse to disclose where it can be found is an act of pure evil.”
In March 2019, Ian Simmons made a painting in prison which Helen's family interpreted as being the "spitting image" of Helen.