It was on the evening of February 9 1988 that Helen McCourt vanished and thereafter began an interminable nightmare for her family which has gone down as a tragic and extraordinary episode in British criminal history.
Speaking at the family home in Billinge, Helen's mother, Marie, shaking with anger, said she received a call this morning from her victim liaison officer at Merseyside Probation Service, and was still trying to process the news.
Convicted killer Ian Simms is due to be released from prison after the Parole Board said he "met the test for release", despite never telling police where he hid the body of victim Helen McCourt.
Sentencing of the former boss of a Wigan coach firm, who admits to a health and safety failing which led to an employee being crushed to death, has been adjourned.
