MORE than 30 years after Helen McCourt was murdered, her mum Marie has still not been able to have a funeral to lay her daughter to rest.

The 22-year-old insurance clerk was killed on her way home from work one evening in 1988, but her body has never been found.

Warrington Guardian:

Helen McCourt

It is believed that her remains could lie in Rixton Claypits, with several key pieces of evidence that led to the conviction of pub landlord Ian Simms being found along the Manchester Ship Canal in Hollins Green.

But Simms still refuses to reveal where Helen's body lies, despite him now being allowed to spend one weekend a month out of prison on licence.

Warrington Guardian: Ian Simms (55517781)

Ian Simms

Marie continues to campaign for the introduction of Helen's law, which would prevent murderers who refuse to reveal the locations of their victim's bodies being eligible for release from prison.

The 75-year-old said: "Only he knows why he hasn't told me.

"It's torturous and I fill up even just thinking about it.

"I can't move home until Helen's remains have been recovered, until we can let her rest in peace.

"He's a psychopath, and psychopaths have an arrogance which makes them think that they can beat the system.

Warrington Guardian:

Ian Simms being escorted out of his pub by police

"Killers know that they have to get rid of a body, otherwise DNA will prove who the killer is.

"These killers are quite happy to go and do some time in prison, then come out still saying I'm innocent.

"Ian Simms is determined that he will come out still saying he's innocent.

"This man is a dangerous person, and they are putting the public at risk."

Helen disappeared on February 9 1988 after getting off the bus 200 yards away from her family home in Billinge, having travelled home from work in Liverpool.

Her walk home took her past the George and Dragon pub where Simms was landlord.

Warrington Guardian:

Simms behind the bar at the George and Dragon pub

He was unanimously found guilty of Helen's murder in 1989 - becoming the first murderer convicted using DNA evidence when no body had been found - and was ordered to serve at least 16 years behind bars.

Two blood-stained towels and several items of clothing belonging to Simms were found in Hollins Green, while blood and part of an earring identical to ones belonging to Helen were found in the boot of his car.

More than 5,000 members of the public formed a search party following her disappearance.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

More than 5,000 people joined the search for Helen

Areas of Burtonwood were also searched in connection with her disappearance, and while no body has yet been found nearly 500,000 people have signed a petition calling for Helen's Law to be introduced in the UK.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Now Helen's story will be told in a new documentary, the first episode of a series called When Missing Turns to Murder - which will air at 9pm on Monday, March 4, on the Crime+Investigation channel.

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Marie added: "I was convinced by two home secretaries that Ian Simms would not come out of prison unless he showed remorse and said where Helen's remains could be recovered from.

"He's now in an open prison.

"I think it's very wrong that he's allowed to have a weekend in a hostel once a month without being supervised.

"This is me, just an ordinary mum in Billinge who has started this but we have almost half a million people behind us and I won't give up.

"When this programme goes out, I hope that the justice minister David Gauke will realise how important it is, and that he will get to work on this.

"Only when this law comes in will these killers stop hiding where their victims bodies are.

"For the families of these people, it's a nightmare - it's us who are serving a whole life sentence."

To sign the petition, click here.