Deceased/Not Found UK - Helen McCourt, 22, Billinge, Merseyside, 9 Feb 1988 *I. Simms guilty*

[Angleterre]

In English law it is retrospective to the extent that it changes the sentencing conditions of convicted parties who were sentenced prior to the enacting of the new law. The prospects for and conditions of parole are factors which are relevant to sentencing at the time of conviction. This law applies not only to those being sentenced in future but also to the parole hearings of those sentenced many years ago. Sims was released because the parole board held its hearing and granted him parole before the new law received Royal Assent. If they had delayed until after assent was received then the new law would have applied to Sims.

Thank you - that is where I was getting confused as I thought it was agreed and given Royal Ascent between the date that the parole board said that Sims would be eligible for release and his actual release day! What a pity that the crossover period was not long enough for this monster!

 

[StillDiggin]

Finally today Helens Law comes into statue. Helen's Law
After more than five years of tireless campaigning, three quarters of a million signatures of support gathered, two visits to 10 Downing Street, three visits to Parliament and countless meetings with MPs and Ministers, Helen’s Law was added to the Statute Book at 00.01 am today - January 4 2021.
It means Parole Judges must legally take into account non-disclosure by killers. It is a huge step in the right direction and provides a solid platform for further reform (which Marie will continue to campaign for).
Marie did a fantastic interview this morning on BBC Breakfast which we'll try to provide a link to.
Thank you to you all - and Happy New Year
x

 

[StillDiggin]

Helen McCourt's mum shares search for her body in 'God-forsaken hell holes'

Policeman's haunting words to Helen McCourt's mum still chill her to the bone
Extracts from new book about finding Helen

 

[StillDiggin]

New lead in quest to find the body of murdered Helen McCourt

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Helen McCourt murder: Mum hopes death of daughter's killer, Ian Simms, will help her find the body

Marie McCourt says it is "heart-breaking" and "just so very, very, sad" that Ian Simms did not reveal where he buried her daughter Helen.

news.sky.com

Helen McCourt murder: Mum hopes death of daughter's killer, Ian Simms, will help her find the body​

Marie McCourt is wondering whether friends or family of Ian Simms, who may have been too scared to speak out while he was alive, will do so now.

 

[StillDiggin]

Murder victim's mum who fought for law change made MBE in New Year Honours List

Marie McCourt spearheaded Helen’s Law after her 22-year- old daughter vanished near their home in St Helens, Merseyside, and has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours List

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[dotr]

April 2023 rbbm.

Killer affected by Helen’s Law told he will face public parole hearing

Glyn Razzell will face a two-day public hearing beginning on August 24.

www.independent.co.uk

''One of the first prisoners affected by a law that makes it harder for certain killers to be released from jail has been told he will face a public parole hearing.

Glyn Razzell was refused release from prison in October while serving a life sentence for the murder of his estranged 41-year-old wife, mother-of-four Linda Razzell, who disappeared on her way to work at Swindon College in Wiltshire in March 2002.


He was one of the first prisoners to be considered by the Parole Board under Helen’s Law – which makes it harder for killers to get parole if they refuse to reveal where they hid their victim’s body.


The Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Act 2020 was named after insurance clerk Helen McCourt, who vanished on her way home from work in Billinge, Merseyside, in 1988''