Has freed killer forgotten where he hid tragic Helen?
A MURDERER who refuses to say what he did with the victim’s body may no longer know, according to the Parole Board which freed him.
Ian Simms, 63, has insisted for so many years he did not kill Helen Mccourt, 22, that he may believe it himself, experts admit.
He was given a life sentence for murder and abduction at Liverpool Crown Court in 1989 and ordered to serve a minimum 16 years.
Simms walked free last week after Helen’s mother Marie, 76, of Billinge, Merseyside, failed in her High Court bid to see him remain behind bars.
Marie, who is applying for a judicial review, said: “We understand the Parole Board is there for the prisoners. But who is there for the victims and their families?”
The Parole Board panel’s findings show psychologists assessed Simms’ denial. Their report says: “The panel concluded there is no prospect of Mr Simms ever disclosing the whereabouts of his victim even if he were kept in prison until he died.
“This is because Mr Simms is so heavily invested in presenting himself as someone who is innocent of the index offence, to the point where he may believe that to be the case, that he will avoid any behaviour that would be inconsistent with this presentation of himself.” In 1991 and 1993 the killer contacted members of insurance clerk Helen’s family and they fear he may try again.
But the panel said it was satisfied there is no risk of that because he has support from his family.
They added Simms has “a good understanding of his own mental health issues, takes his medication properly and has good communication with professionals”.
The board also revealed his continued denial meant he was unable to complete any accredited offending behaviour programmes. It paid “careful notice” to the significant trauma caused to the victim’s family by the fact that Helen’s body has never been found.
The report said: “The panel took note of the family’s concerns for their own safety if Mr Simms were to be released and their belief that it was only if Mr Simms was kept in custody that they would ever find out the location of the body.”
Former pub landlord Simms was released last week ahead of the anniversary today of Helen’s disappearance in 1988.
She vanished on her way home from work in Liverpool.