Marie McCourt talks of her pride ahead of being awarded MBE next month

Marie McCourt, 79, was named in the New Year Honours List 2022 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.

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.Helen McCourt (Image: Stock) 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 last year, was released on licence in February 2020 before the law came into force.

She is going to Buckingham Palace with husband John to be awarded her MBE on November 8.

She said: “I can do nothing more for Helen as Simms died before ever telling anyone where her remains were put.

“I have no grave for her but instead there is now a law in her name that will outlive me and anyone who remembers her, because that is her legacy.

“Already because of Helen’s Law, five people who sought to get out of jail and did not reveal where their victim’s remains are have been told by the parole board that under Helen’s Law they can not be released.

“Helen’s legacy is that other Helen’s and their families will get that justice that we did not get.

“I’m very proud that something good has come out of everything that man took from us, and for the hard work to be recognised is brilliant as it really is my life’s work as well as John and Helen’s brother Michael.

“We lost Helen. But to be recognised for all we’ve done to get the law changed makes me very proud. It’s all been because I simply loved my daughter and she now will live on not just in memories but in British Law.”