THE mum of murdered Helen McCourt has been awarded with an MBE for her work to support the families of other victims.
Marie McCourt
Marie McCourt, 79, has been named in the New Year Honours List for her campaign work for Helen's Law and for her service to families of the victims of unlawful killing, through the Support After Murder and Manslaughter Merseyside (SAMM) group.
READ > Firefighters carry nan to hospital after fall on ambulance strike day
Pub landlord Ian Simms abducted and murdered Marie’s daughter insurance clerk Helen McCourt, 22, from Billinge, on her way home from work in February 1988.
He denied being responsible but a jury at Liverpool Crown Court convicted him amid overwhelming DNA evidence, despite Helen’s body never being found.
Marie campaigned for five years to have a new law brought in that would prevent killers who do not reveal the location of their victims’ bodies being released.
Simms, who died earlier this year, was released on licence in February 2020 before the law came into force.
'I wanted to make things better for families'
Marie said she was “stunned” to learn of her MBE and said she is glad to have been able to “make things better” for the families of other murder victims who have been through similar ordeals.
Marie added: “My husband John has been absolutely monumental for me.
“I wanted to be able to make things better for families whose loved ones have been murdered.”
Other St Helens recipients
Mayor of St Helens Cllr Sue Murphy has also been awarded an MBE. She has been honoured for public and political service.
Cllr Murphy is a ward councillor for Billinge and Seneley Green, having been involved in local politics for the past 28 years, Cllr Murphy has held a number of high-profile roles on the council, including deputy leader and a number of cabinet positions.
She also served as Deputy Crime Commissioner for Merseyside Police as well as the Chair of Governors at Garswood Primary School.
Meanwhile, Sandra Roscoe, from Rainhill, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.
Sandra has been recognised for her voluntary and charitable services to the community in Rainhill and St Helens, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here