MARIE McCourt has spoken of her devastation after learning killer Ian Simms is being allowed on escorted release from prison – despite never admitting where her murdered daughter's remains are.

Helen McCourt, from Billinge, was murdered on February 9, 1988 – and despite George and Dragon pub landlord Simms being jailed for the crime – he has never confessed or said where Helen’s body is.

Her mum Marie, 74, has been campaigning for a new law to be adopted, which would mean convicted murders who refuse to reveal the whereabouts of their victims’ bodies would remain behind bars.

It is to be called Helen’s Law in her daughter’s memory.

However, despite having more than 440,000 signatures on the petition, Simms is being prepared for escorted release, which is a stepping stone to him being released out into the public on day release.

Gran-of-two Marie said: "I was absolutely devastated when I got a phone call telling me about it, I was in shock and still am.

"I can't believe they are even considering it.

"How can he be released when he has never revealed where Helen's body is?

"Helen was a young girl who hadn't even started he life yet.

"He's dangerous enough that he killed my daughter and has successfully kept her body hidden for more than 30 years.

"He knows where he hid Helen when he gets released he could go and dance on her soul there and we would never know. It's like he is keeping her soul hostage."

She hit out at the parole board, adding: "These people aren't thinking of the danger they are putting the public in by letting him out, even on release.

"If he actually got fully released I would say it would kill me. But I thought I would die when I lost my daughter and I didn't, but the pain is with me every day.

"I'm not young anymore. I'm 30 years older and I am again fearing for my family."

Escorted release would take place on two day trips, scheduled for the end of May, and unescorted day release could be granted soon after.

This is a stepping stone towards full release providing the trips go well.

Marie is hoping that is her petition reaches 500,000 signatures. Then the Government will consider the law and hopefully keep Simms behind bars until he reveals the truth of Helen's whereabouts.

She added: "I am 56,000 off from half a million which is an impressive sum to show the Government that this needs to change.

"I have no problem if someone admits what they have done and then serves their time and gets released - it's the people like Simms who keep their victim's families suffering forever that should spend all of their lives behind bars.

"For all we know she may not be buried alone, maybe this is why he won't say where she is.

"For him to never admit where she is means he's a killer like (Myra) Hindley and (Ian) Brady who is focused on having power.

"Every time I have to think about this, the pain is fresh all over again.

"Please just sign the petition and keep this man behind bars."

To sign the petition go to bit.ly/2DXRwWb.