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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'My little girl's body was desecrated by twisted murderer – the law must change'
Honoured campaigner Marie McCourt is being backed by families of horrific murders all calling for a law change to go after killers who desecrate and hide bodies Murder victims' families - including the mum of April Jones - are calling for new legislation for killers who desecrate and hide bodies. Campaigning mum Marie McCourt, whose daughter Helen was murdered aged 22 in 1988, is being backed by the parents of Sarah Everard and April Jones. Their loved ones were 'desecrated' by their killers in an attempt to hide evidence. Marie's 'Stop the Desecration campaign' was mentioned in PMQs on Wednesday, with leader Keir Starmer, referring to the families of such "horrific" crimes and agreeing: 'We all need to listen to what they have to say'. Only tiny fragments of five year old April's body were recovered following her murder in September 2012 by Mark Bridger. April Jones, who would have turned 18 this spring, was just five when she was kidnapped and murdered by Mark Bridger in 2012. She vanished after being seen getting into a vehicle near her home in Powys. Bridger is serving a whole life sentence for her abduction, murder and perverting the course of justice. Only tiny fragments of her body have ever been recovered. Her mother Coral says: 'The offences he was charged with, and convicted of, don't reflect the true horror of what he did. The law needs to be changed.' While Sarah's body was burned and dumped by killer Wayne Couzens after she was abducted, raped and murdered in March 2021. In a statement of support, the Everard family said: 'Sarah died in horrendous circumstances. But what Couzens did afterwards – burning and dumping her body in a bid to destroy evidence has only deepened our pain, grief and torture.' Despite buying petrol, burning her body and dumping her remains inside rubble bags, no charges relating to preventing a burial or obstructing a coroner were ever brought. In a separate victim impact statement read to the Old Bailey her mother, Susan, described the impact Couzens' cruel actions had on them. 'Burning her body was the final insult. It meant we could never again see her sweet face and never say goodbye.' Marie McCourt, whose successful Helen's Law has seen parole denied to killers who hide bodies, wants to see further change. Her 'Stop the Desecration campaign' was raised in Prime Minister's Question Time on Wednesday by Ann Davies, MP. The MP represents the family of murder victim Michael O'Leary, 55, who was shot and burned in January 2020. Only a tiny fragment of his remains was ever recovered. The Caerfyrddin MP told the Commons: "My constituent Mr Michael O'Leary was brutally murdered five years ago and his body was desecrated... I've made a number of requests to discuss his and other victims' cases with ministers and to explore introducing legislation making the desecration of a body a criminal offence. "Will the Prime Minister meet with Mr O'Leary's family along with other victims' families including April Jones and Sarah Everard and Helen McCourt to hear why they are calling for a new criminal offence of desecrating a body to be introduced." Mr Starmer responded: "Can I thank her for raising this horrific case and the other similar cases. My thoughts and I'm sure the thoughts of the whole house are with Michael's family and all those affected by such vile crimes. I think we all need to listen to what they have to say." He continued: "I'm sure the Justice Minister will be in touch at the first opportunity to take this forward." In March 2022, the Ministry of Justice said it would wait until the completion of a public inquiry into the offences of murderer and necrophiliac David Fuller, who abused more than 100 bodies in hospital mortuaries, before considering Marie's proposal. Marie, now 81, said: 'But three years on, the inquiry is still ongoing and we are no further forward. Meanwhile, the number of desecrations has soared - causing untold distress to families.' A local pub landlord, Ian Simms was jailed for Helen's murder despite her body never being found. He was released in 2020 and died two years later. Other supporters of her campaign include the families of Sasha Marsden, 16, who was stabbed, raped and set on fire after being lured to a fake job interview in January 2013; Jayden Parkinson, 17, who was pregnant when she was murdered and hidden in a grave belonging to the killer's uncle; Jan Mustafa 38, who was murdered and hidden in a chest freezer for a year and Lorraine Cox, 32, who was murdered and dismembered in September 2020 on her way home from a night out. Ancient common law offences for obstructing a coroner and preventing a burial do exist – but are rarely and randomly applied, says Marie. Marie says: 'I fought tooth and nail to have my daughter's killer charged with them only to be told it wasn't in the public interest. I was told her killer had been convicted of her murder and that's what mattered. But these cruel acts, committed after death do matter - both to the victim, their loved ones and to society.' Marie, from Billinge in Merseyside, whose successful Helen's Law has seen parole denied to killers who hide bodies, was shocked to discover that a statutory offence of burning a body other than in a crematorium, does exist. But the CPS has confirmed that only three charges have ever been brought – with just one conviction resulting. She added: 'Four of our families have suffered the distress of knowing their loved ones were set alight after being murdered. So why weren't the killers charged with these offences?' She continues: 'Back when Helen first went missing, such cases were rare. But barely a week goes by without another 'human remains discovered' story hitting the news. 'So many families are living with the horror of knowing their loved one has not only been murdered – but been set alight, dismembered and scattered, stored inside a freezer, or, in my daughter's case, hidden so well they will never be found. 'Bereavement experts say it triggers a grief so complex and pathological that it's impossible to come to terms with. All of our families are living with this torture - day in, day out. Advances in forensic science and detection methods means killers are going to ever-desperate lengths to hide or destroy the bodies of their victims – and thanks to the 'dark side of the internet' and true crime programmes, there is no shortage of horrific ideas out there.' Criminologists, forensic psychologists, police officers and bereavement experts are also supporting Marie. Leading forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd says: 'As a leading forensic pathologist in more than 23,000 autopsies, I have been a first-hand witness of man's inhumanity to man. I have also learned, over the years, that there is almost nothing a person will not do to avoid a murder charge. 'Bodies 'speak' to the pathologist. What the deceased 'says' can help bring a perpetrator to justice. In a civilised society, surely any attempt to prevent that from happening should be accountable?'
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
My daughter April Jones was killed by paedophile – forget chemical castration, predators like him should have it cut off
The mum of murdered schoolgirl April Jones has backed the government's bid to chemically castrate paedophiles and rapists. Coral Jones, whose five-year-old daughter was kidnapped and murdered by sick paedophile Mark Bridger, said he and all other sex offenders should lose their right to a sexual urge. 5 5 5 Bridger was given a whole-life term for abducting and murdering April on October 1, 2012, in Machynlleth, mid Wales. The Judge said he sexually abused the schoolgirl before disposing of her body. But the paedophile has never confessed to his crime and the location of April's remains is still unknown. Here mum Coral gives her view on the government's latest proposals. By Coral Jones When April vanished almost 13 years ago my whole world was thrown upside down. I will never get over the heartache of losing my beautiful girl that day and when I later learned that sick paedophile Mark Bridger had kidnapped and murdered her, I was sick to my stomach. I cannot begin to describe the hatred I still have for him to this day. During sentencing trial judge Mr Justice Griffith-Williams told Bridger that there was no doubt in his mind that he was 'a paedophile, who has, for some time harboured sexual and morbid fantasies about young girls'. Police also found Bridger's laptop containing a library of vile sexual images of children. Chilling moment April Jones' 'fantasist' killer Mark Bridger lied to police during interrogation And for me vile paedophiles like him will never change. They will always fantasise about young children and harbour sickening sexual thoughts. The government's proposal to chemically castrate paedophiles and rapists like him, is something that has been on my mind for over a decade. I've said from word go that this should happen and I'm surprised it has taken so long. I would welcome any steps to chemically castrate offenders like Mark Bridger. To be honest, if I had it my way he should have it chopped off completely, but I can't see the justice secretary agreeing to that. Putting a paedophile or rapist's name on the sex offenders register is no longer enough of a deterrent - for too long we've turned a blind eye to it. Many sex offenders continue to reoffend, sometimes over and over again. Bridger won't ever see the light of day for what he did, but it keeps me awake at night that he still has sexual fantasties about my daughter and other children. It makes my body shiver, it makes me feel sick. All prisoners who have sexually abused children should have this sexual urge removed - that goes for men and women. If they've done the deed they should pay the price. They don't deserve to enjoy the same sexual urges as everyone else. The only question is how long does the procedure last? Is it permanent? Can its be reversed. All these things need to be addressed. In my book sex offenders should also be sterilised so they can't have their own children and continue the cycle of abuse. There will always be people who are against strong measures like this. They will cite human rights as the reason not to act - but until they have lost a child or seen a family member sexually abused, they will never truly understand why this is so important. Ever since April was taken from us I have campaigned for changes in the law. I have fought to introduce April's Law which would rid the internet of child abuse images. Easily accessibly vile online pictures are fuelling paedophiles' evil crimes and myself and others have demanded search engine firms should do much more to prevent people posting and accessing the shocking content. I'll never stop pushing for change and I welcome the latest proposals by the government. It's time we all took a stand. 5
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
April Jones' dad to be buried alongside remains of his daughter after he died without knowing what happened to her body
THE TRAGIC father of murdered schoolgirl April Jones will be buried in the same grave as his five-year-old daughter, a relative has revealed. Paul Jones, 56, died suddenly after contracting a virus eight years after being diagnosed with the brain condition encephalitis. 10 10 The former pub doorman died without ever discovering what April's killer Mark Bridger did with her body after kidnapping her from a street where she was playing in 2012. But some of April's remains were found in Bridger's cottage and they were buried in a grave in the little girl's hometown of Machynlleth, North Wales. Paul's stepfather Dai Smith, 72, said: 'The funeral arrangements are still being made but they'll put him in April's grave. That would be the fitting thing to do'. Paul and April's mum Coral Jones split up after the horrific murder and he was later diagnosed with encephalitis. He went into a care home in Swansea because he could not look after himself. 'Paul was devastated by what happened to April and it's fair to say he never got over it. 'People have said that he became ill because of the tragedy of losing his little girl but that's not the case. 'It was more or less dementia; he had been in hospital for eight years and couldn't remember anything about April. 'But he had long term memory - he could remember things from 30 years ago. Family's heartbreaking final words to murdered April Jones are revealed 10 years after five-year-old was abducted ''He was a fantastic man, very strong, he'd walk 15 miles with the dogs and think nothing of it. He was fit and loved the outdoors. "He went down from 13st to 8st and when he was first in hospital he would wander around the wards but didn't know where he was.' Mr Smith said the family believe his stepson contracted encephalitis from visiting a local swimming pool. Paul's mother Linda died of cancer in July last year and was bitter over the way Coral had treated her eldest son. Linda and her husband, who live in New Quay, Cardiganshire, felt Coral abandoned their son when he became ill. 10 10 10 Before she died Linda said: 'In my book, if you marry someone it's in sickness and in health. I know Paul would have been there for Coral if it had been the other way around.' The couple had a huge bust up with Coral over the way she treated Paul, and they never spoke to her again. Mr Smith, who is still grieving for his wife, said: 'She used to say it was a blessing that he couldn't remember anything and I think she was right.' Paul's daughter, Jazz Jones, announced his tragic passing on Tuesday. She said: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed away early hours this morning. It was very unexpected and we are all in shock. "Harley and myself will update people with further information as we know more but please give us our privacy to mourn our loss." The 29-year-old told The Sun she is 'heartbroken' over his death and the family still processing his loss. 'It was very unexpected and we are all in shock,' she said. 'It's only been 24 hours, it's a lot to get our head around. 'As a family we're heartbroken, but we're still trying to process the fact that dad has passed away, so we're not sharing any information on his death out of respect for him. 'Dad didn't want any media attention towards the end, he wanted his privacy, and as a family we need time to grieve.' Who is Mark Bridger? Mark Bridger abducted and murdered five-year-old April Jones in 2012. The former abattoir worker went to prison for his horrific crimes and is serving a life sentence. He was born in Carshalton, Surrey on November 6, 1965 and was just 19 when he had his first run-in with the law. He pleaded guilty to firearms offences, theft, attempted theft, and deception. That was to be the first of many convictions throughout his life. He was convicted of driving offences and assaults before he moved from England to Wales. He fathered six children by four different women. One woman he dated was Elaine Griffiths and they had two children together. Elaine's sister Karen dated Paul Jones and they had two children before Paul met Coral and had April. April's disappearance and murder April disappeared near her home in Machynlleth on October 1, 2012. She was seen getting into a vehicle in the area on the day of her disappearance. Eyewitnesses saw April talking with a man before climbing into a Land Rover Discovery with him and driving off. After fitting the description of the man seen talking with April, Mark Bridger was arrested for her abduction. After his initial arrest, the police found a large collection of child abuse images on Bridger's personal computer. A large search operation was then conducted by the police and search teams in the hope of finding April. After an extensive search for April provided no insight into her whereabouts, police officially turned the case into a murder inquiry on October 5, 2012. Just a day later, on October 6, Bridger was charged with child abduction, murder, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was additionally charged with the unlawful concealment and disposal of a body on October 8. On January 14, 2013, at Mold Crown Court, Bridger pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering April Jones but accepted that he was "probably responsible" for her death. Mold Crown Court heard from a forensic expert that human bones and blood matching April's DNA were found in areas of Bridger's home. He claimed that he had accidentally run April over with his car and could not remember disposing of her body due to heavy drinking and panicking about what he had done. His trial began on April 29, 2013, and on 30 May 2013, Bridger was found guilty of abduction, murder, and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to life in prison with a recommendation that he should never be released by the Judge. Despite his conviction, the whereabouts of April's body remain unknown. Bridger was last reported to have been moved to HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire, where he is defined as a Category A prisoner - the most dangerous in the country. 10 10 10
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK among nations launching 'targeted attacks' on LGBTQ+ community, advocacy group warns
The UK has seen a drop in a survey of LGBTQ+ rights comparable to Hungary and Georgia, an advocacy group has warned. ILGA-Europe accused the UK of "targeted attacks" towards the LGBTQ+ community alongside countries like Hungary, where pride parades are banned, and Georgia, which is emulating Russia's intensely anti-LGBTQ+ policies. The charity claimed that this "echoes the tactics seen in the US so far under Trump's second term". Up until 2015 the UK consistently topped the leader board published by ILGA-Europe. But just ten years after dominating the top spot, the UK has fallen a further six places to 22nd out of the 49 European countries included, while Hungary and Georgia both dropped seven. READ MORE: Couple trapped in popular Blackpool tourist attraction said 'police thought it was a hoax' READ MORE: Dad of murdered schoolgirl April Jones dies suddenly aged 55 Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Chaber, the executive director of ILGA-Europe, said in a statement: "The time to push back is now, before the targeted attacks we're seeing in countries like Hungary, the UK, and Georgia become the norm rather than the exception." ILGA-Europe ranks European countries based on their treatment of LGBTQ+ people. This is put together by looking at a combination of factors such as family, hate crime and hate speech, and legal gender recognition. Iceland and Belgium rank the highest, while Russia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan rank among the lowest. The charity claimed that the UK's latest drop reflects the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman according to the 2010 Equality Act. In the ruling the Supreme Court said that for the purposes of the Equality Act a "woman" refers to "biological women and biological sex", excluding transgender women from the act's definition. Despite cautioning from the Supreme Court that this was not to be seen as a "victory of one group over another", the ruling has been trumpeted as just that by many "gender critical" campaign groups. It was also welcomed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said it offered "clarity". Since the ruling, the British Transport Police confirmed updated guidance that officers carrying out a strip search should match the assigned sex at birth of the person they are strip searching. This means that according to the guidance a transgender woman should be strip-searched by a male police officer. The FA has also announced that transgender women are barred from competing in any official women's leagues, a move which prompted many grassroots women's clubs to take part in a campaign by women's football podcast Screamers opposing the FA's decision and standing with transgender players. Explaining the drop in the UK, ILGA-Europe claimed that the Supreme Court ruling means that "legal gender recognition is no longer fully effective" as "regardless of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), a person will still be treated as their sex assigned at birth in various areas of public life." It added that legal gender recognition "should enable a person to legally function and be recognised in their affirmed gender in all areas of life; this is no longer the case in the UK". ILGA-Europe's Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel warned that while the UK has become a bad example for LGBTQ+ rights in Europe alongside Hungary, it is far from unique. 'The big headlines about the UK and Hungary draw attention, but democracy is being eroded quietly across Europe, like a thousand paper cuts," Hugendubel said, adding: "These developments closely echo the tactics seen in the US so far under Trump's second term. "Measures such as his executive orders restricting access to trans-specific healthcare and the rollback of DEI initiatives in federal agencies seek to undermine protections for trans people and limit LGBTI inclusion. "Similar moves in the UK, Hungary, Georgia and beyond signal not just isolated regressions, but a coordinated global backlash aimed at erasing LGBTI rights, cynically framed as the defence of tradition or public stability, but in reality designed to entrench discrimination and suppress dissent.'
Sky News
14-05-2025
- Sky News
April Jones: Tributes paid to murdered schoolgirl's father after 'unexpected' death
Tributes have been paid to the father of murdered schoolgirl April Jones who has died suddenly aged 55. April, who was five years old at the time of her death, was taken from outside her home in Machynlleth, mid Wales, in October 2012. She was murdered by paedophile Mark Bridger, who was sentenced to a whole life tariff. April's father Paul Jones contracted a brain disease in 2018, six years after the death of his daughter. Announcing his death on Tuesday, Mr Jones's stepdaughter Jazz Jones said: "It is with broken hearts that my brother and I wish to let people know our dad (Paul Jones) passed away early hours this morning." Miss Jones said his death was "very unexpected" and the family were "all in shock". She asked for privacy as the family mourned the loss of Mr Jones. In a social media post, family friend Allan Hughes described Mr Jones as "a truly amazing friend". "A lot of you knew him as the father of poor April Jones who was taken from us in 2012," he said. "But myself and many more know him from being a great dad, son, brother and friend, also as part of the family." He said Mr Jones would now be "reunited with April and [his] mam" and added that his "thoughts and prayers" were with his family. After Mr Jones contracted the brain condition encephalitis in 2018, he suffered memory loss. He had to learn of his daughter's death for a second time after he was diagnosed with the condition.
