Marie McCourt lodges legal papers at High Court in bid to block Ian Simms' release

Ian Simms was convicted of murdering 22-year-old Helen, who disappeared in Billinge in February, 1988.

Simms, 63, is due to be released on licence and subject to strict conditions by the Parole Board after an appeal by Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, was rejected earlier this month.

Marie McCourt on the 28th anniversary of the murder of Helen McCourt

Simms, the former George and Dragon pub landlord, who was pictured last year on day release from prison, has served more than twice the minimum term specified by the judge who passed his life sentence.

He has never admitted his guilt or revealed where he hid Helen's remains.

This week it emerged Marie has lodged papers requesting a judicial review of the Parole Board's decision at the high court.

In a statement the McCourt family said: "On Thursday, January 30 2020 Marie McCourt’s legal team issued a claim at the High Court in London seeking urgent permission to bring a Judicial Review against the Parole Board of England and Wales decision to release Ian Simms from prison."        

According to national news reports, the Parole Board has confirmed the case is under review.

Marie launched a gofundme online appeal to raise funds to mount the legal challenge. So far it has amassed more than £27,000.

Marie McCourt at the Parole hearing last year (Picture: PA)

In a statement earlier this month Marie said:"I am instructing my legal team to prepare a judicial review of this decision in the High Court.

“Being able to bury a murdered love one is a basic human right – and I am taking this stand in the interest of the public.

“I truly believe that justice can only be served when families of missing murder victims are treated with respect and compassion and the public are protected from dangerous killers who refuse to show remorse for their actions.

Ian Simms pictured arriving at court in 1988 (PA)

"We need to acknowledge and prevent the significant anguish that innocent families of murder victims continue to experience. I am also calling for greater transparency and victim participation in parole proceedings.

“Your help in bringing this action is hugely appreciated.

“All money raised will go towards legal costs I may incur as a result of court action. Any unused money will be placed into a fund to support future legal action by other families of the missing murdered.

"This is my last chance to bring Helen home.

"Thank you for your support.”

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The Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill returned to Parliament in January in a bid to enact 'Helen's Law, which follows a long campaign by Marie.

The law will place a legal duty on the Parole Board to consider the anguish caused by murderers who refuse to disclose the location of a victim’s body when considering release.

The Bill, which is being reintroduced following the General Election, will also apply to paedophiles who take indecent images of children but refuse to reveal the identity of their victims.

‘Helen’s Law’ will however make it a legal requirement for the Parole Board to consider the withholding of information when deciding if an offender should be released.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Human rights legislation protects against arbitrary detention, and the proposed new law balances this with the need to keep the public safe.

"The proposals also take into account instances where, for example, a murderer may genuinely not know the location of a victim’s body if it has been moved."

The law change would come too late to block Simms' release.

The bill was due to be presented to the Commons last year but was delayed by the election.