Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Killer free but won’t say where he buried my Helen
Mum calls for law change
A GRIEVING mum has been told her daughter’s killer is being let out of prison on day release, despite refusing to say where he hid the body.
Marie Mccourt has been campaigning for No Body, No Parole legislation since Ian Simms murdered Helen, 22, in 1988.
The Government has confirmed it is considering the law, which would keep killers behind bars if they refuse to disclose where they buried their victims.
But Marie has found out pub landlord Simms is being prepared for “escorted release on temporary licence” this month. If two day trips go well, unescorted day release could be granted in June.
Marie, 74, said: “Simms has put us through hell for 30 years by refusing to say where my daughter’s body is.
“When I got the phone call last week, I was so horrified I couldn’t speak. For 30 years he has refused to face up to what he’s done. How can he possibly be deemed fit to rejoin society? “The thought of him being released to dance on my daughter’s secret grave tears me apart.” Helen vanished on her way home from work. Simms, 61, got life jail following just the third murder trial in British legal history without a body.
Marie, of Billinge, Merseyside, recently met Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke to discuss proposals for Helen’s Law. The Parole Board has been asked to review its guidelines on the issue. Labour MP Conor Mcginn urged them to do so “as a matter of upmost urgency”.
One body was found in Australia after similar laws were passed in recent years.