No parole for McCourt killer
A “COWARD” who refused to meet the mother of a woman he murdered 21 years ago was today told he must stay behind bars.
Ian Simms wouldn’t enter the parole hearing to meet Marie McCourt on March 20.
Marie’s daughter Helen disappeared in February 1988 after phoning her to say when she would be home from work in Liverpool. Her body has never been found.
Pub landlord Ian Simms was later convicted by overwhelming DNA evidence of murdering her.
Simms, who is serving his life sentence at HMP Garth in Leyland, Lancashire, has refused to say where he buried Helen and insists he is innocent.
His decades of denial have tormented Mrs McCourt, 65, and her family, who have spent years searching for Helen’s body.
Speaking after hearing the news, Marie said: “I am very pleased that he has been refused parole. He doesn’t deserve it.”
THE ECHO
