Helen’s Law blow as killer Ian Simms, 64, will not be recalled to prison

Helen’s Law campaigner Marie McCourt has been given the devastating news her daughter’s killer will not be recalled to prison.

The 76-year-old was seeking a Judicial Review of the decision to release Ian Simms, 64, from his life term.

The pub landlord murdered ­insurance clerk Helen McCourt, 22, in February 1988 and has always cruelly refused to reveal where her body is.

But two High Court judges ruled Marie’s case should not go ahead as the Parole Board did not make a “public law error” in letting him walk free.

Marie said: “I am bitterly disappointed at the High Court’s decision.

Helen McCourt was murdered by pub landlord Ian Simms 27 years ago (PA)

“I did my best and so did my legal team but, sadly, this hasn’t produced the result we wanted in getting Simms back into prison.”

Legislation making it harder for lifers to win parole is passing through Parliament, but was not introduced in time to stop Simms being freed in February.

But Marie vowed: “I will never give up my quest to find my daughter’s remains.

“I will continue to highlight this appalling ordeal in the hope that someone will come forward with information and Helen will be found. Then justice really will have been done.”

Ian Simms was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years, but was released on licence (PA)

Marie's daughter was murdered and the perpetrator has refused to reveal the whereabouts of her body (Philip Coburn)

Giving their ruling yesterday, Lady Justice Macur and Mr Justice Chamberlain stated: “We have great sympathy for Mrs McCourt’s plight.

“Like the Parole Board, we recognise the ongoing distress and misery that Simms’ actions continue to cause and have every admiration for her ­fortitude and resilience.”

But they concluded: “The [Parole Board] 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.”

After the ruling, a Parole Board spokesman said: “[We have] immense sympathy for families of victims who have never been found and recognise the pain and anguish they have endured.

“The court, in this case, found [our] panel’s decision and its approach was legally sound.”

Marie, from Billinge, Merseyside, was ordered to pay Simms’ legal costs up to the value of her Go Fund Me campaign, which currently stands at £40,000.

She had previously feared losing her house if the case went against her.

Marie added: “I would like to thank every single donor for making this possible.”