PICTURES: Marie McCourt presented with MBE by King Charles III

Marie McCourt, the mother of 22-year-old Helen McCourt – who was murdered on her way to her Billinge home in 1988, was awarded her MBE for services to the families of murdered victims today, Wednesday November 8 and for her tireless campaigning for Helen’s Law.

Ian Simms, a local pub landlord who killed Helen, was handed a life sentence in 1989 for Helen McCourt’s murder despite her body never being found, and he was released in 2020 before his death in 2022.

Marie McCourt being given her MBE by King Charles III (Image: PA)

He always maintained his innocence, despite never disclosing where he hid Helen’s body.

Following her daughter’s death, Mrs McCourt’s campaigning led to the Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Act, dubbed Helen’s Law, being enacted in 2021 – which made it harder for killers and paedophiles who hold back information on their victims to receive parole.

She previously spoke to the Star about being awarded her MBE, she said: “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.

Helen McCourt

“I have no grave for her but instead there is now a law and 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 cannot be released.

“I’m very proud that something good has come out of everything that man took from us.”

Marie McCourt being given her MBE by King Charles III (Image: PA)