‘Helen’s Law’ makes killers’ bid for parole more difficult
LAWS have come into force in a bid to make it harder for killers to get parole if they refuse to reveal where they hid their victim’s body.
The Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Act 2020, known as Helen’s Law, was enacted just after midnight yesterday.
Named after insurance clerk Helen Mccourt, who vanished on her way home from work in 1988, the law will also apply to paedophiles who refuse to identify those they abused.
Ms Mccourt’s murderer, Ian Simms, was released last year despite never saying where he hid her body.
Her mother Marie Mccourt spent five years calling for the l egisl at i on before it f i nally gained Royal Assent in November after a series of political and constitutional setbacks.
The families of two women in Northern Ireland have called for the Executive to introduce a similar law here.
Chef Johnny Miller was unanimously found guilty of murdering his Co Tyrone former girlfriend Charlotte Murray by a jury in 2019 — but has still not told relatives where her body is.
Ms Murray’s family, along with the family of Co Down woman Lisa Dorrian who was murdered in 2005, met with First Minister Arlene Foster in September to discuss the issue.
Under the new law in England, killers could still be released if no longer deemed a risk to the public even if they refuse to disclose information.
But the Parole Board will be l egally required to consider whether they have co-operated with inquiries as part of their assessment.
Human rights laws prevent the UK introducing a “no body, no parole” rule, which the Government warned may have faced successful legal challenges in the courts.
It is hoped the form the legislation has taken will lead to more killers owning up to their crimes, providing answers for grieving families.
In a post on Twitter, the Helen’s Law campaign group said: “After five years of campaigning, three quarters of a million signatures of support, two trips to Downing Street, three visits to Parliament and countless meetings with MPS and ministers, Helen’s Law was added to the statute book at 00.01 am today. Thank you for supporting.”