A decision to free a pub landlord who murdered a Merseyside woman 31 years ago could be reversed after a shock intervention by the government.
Campaigning mum Marie McCourt was left devastated last month after Parole Board bosses agreed to released convict Ian Simms.
This was despite him never revealing where he had dumped and buried insurance clerk Helen McCourt, 22, in 1988, on Merseyside.
Today, in a dramatic twist, the Parole Board confirmed they were reconsidering that controversial ruling.
In a statement, they said: "An application under the reconsideration mechanism has been received from the Secretary of State for the case of Ian Simms and will be considered by the Parole Board as soon as possible."
It follows a complaint being made by the McCourt family, and a decision by Justice Minister Robert Buckland to examine Simms' case, and his bid for freedom once more.
Mum Marie McCourt, who's spent the past three decades urging the pub landlord to confess where he dumped her daughter's body, today told the ECHO: "I'm pleased, obviously, I feel better.
"It's a huge relief for me the Justice Minister has written to the Parole Board to review their decision.
"However, it may not change anything for me.
"The decision on November 21 [to release Simms] really did knock me for six when I was told he would be released.
"I'm really surprised because I was really disappointed in the Parole Board judges.
"I thought the hearing on November 14 went well and they seemed friendly enough.
"They seemed quite compassionate to my statement as sometimes [I] can be cut a bit short.
"I broke down a few times and they asked me if I'd like to take a rest and have a drink.
"They were very considerate."
Mrs McCourt said she had received an email from Mr Buckland's office to inform her of today's news.
The ECHO understands this decision is part of a new "reconsideration mechanism" which was introduced in July.
Those unhappy with Parole Board decisions can register a complaint with government bosses.
Simms, now 63, remains in jail, yet to be released.
He is thought to have overpowered and then murdered Helen near to Billinge, in St Helens, where she lived.
He was convicted after he was found with blood on his clothes which matched that of Helen’s parents, and her opal and sapphire earring was found in his car.
His bloodstained clothes were recovered from banks of a river, and a knotted strangling flex discovered nearby had teeth marks in it, matching those of the landlord’s dog and hairs identical to Helen’s caught in it.
It was one of the first UK cases to be solved using DNA.
Simms has always denied knowing where he dumped the insurance clerk's body.
For that reason, despite having served the minimum term for the murder, he has remained behind bars.
Earlier this year, the McCourt family began once again digging for her body, focusing their attention on Rixton clay pits in Warrington, five miles from Helen's home in Billinge, where it suspected she may be hidden.
Grieving loved ones can request a Parole Board decision be changed if it could be proved the correct process was not followed, and if important evidence was not shared.
They are also able to allege the ruling was "irrational", in that the decision made no sense based on the evidence of risk that was considered.
