Marie McCourt fails in bid to win review of decision to release daughter’s killer

Marie, from Billinge, said former pub landlord Ian Simms should not be released from jail until he reveals where Helen McCourt’s body is hidden.

She said a November 2019 Parole Board decision to release Simms, now 64, on licence was wrong and should be reviewed.

Two judges ruled against her on Tuesday.

Mrs McCourt said: "I am very very disappointed. I think we had a good case and I did my best.

"Unfortunately the appeal judges agreed with the Parole Board decision and that means that Ian Simms will not be sent back to prison.

"I have seven days to lodge an appeal but at the moment I don't think I have the energy, stamina or money to do that.

"It is sad that Helen's Law - which would stop a killer who doesn't reveal the whereabouts of a victim's remains - has not come soon enough to prevent Simms's release but I hope it will bring justice for other families in future.

"Meanwhile I will never give up my search for Helen."

Lady Justice Macur and Mr Justice Chamberlain, who had considered Mrs McCourt’s judicial review application at a virtual High Court in July, decided that a Parole Board panel decision “involved no arguable public law error”.

They added, in a written ruling: “The panel were acutely aware of the sensitivities in this case and adopted a careful and balanced approach both to the procedure to be adopted and to the assessment of Simms’ current risk.”

The judges said they had decided to refuse to give Mrs McCourt, who is in her 70s, permission to apply for a judicial review.

They heard that Ms McCourt was murdered in Billinge in February 1988, while on her way home.

Simms was found guilty of her abduction and murder after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in March 1989 and given a life sentence, with a minimum term of 16 years.

A Parole Board spokesman said, in a statement, after the ruling: “The Parole Board notes the decision of the court in the judicial review proceedings brought by Marie McCourt.

“The Parole Board has immense sympathy for families of victims who have never been found and recognises the pain and anguish they have endured.

“The Board remains absolutely committed to ensuring that victims and their families are treated with the utmost respect and dignity during the parole process and appreciates the distress that a parole review of the offender is likely to cause.

“The Parole Board is however required, by law to focus on whether a prisoner’s continued detention remains necessary for the protection of the public.”

Simms was released on licence early this year.