Latest news with #Helen'sLaw
Powys County Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
April Jones' family join calls for a new criminal offence
The Prime Minister has been invited to meet with the family of murdered Machynlleth girl April Jones to discuss the creation of a new criminal offence for desecrating a body. April was only five years old when she went missing on the evening of October 1, 2012, after playing on her bike with friends near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate. Her disappearance shocked the nation and became the biggest search in British police history with specialist teams scouring around 40 square miles over six months. Paedophile and former slaughterman Mark Bridger, 47, was given a whole life sentence for April's abduction and murder, as well as being convicted for perverting the course of justice of disposing, concealing or destroying the girl's body. There had been strong evidence of a burnt human skull found in the fireplace of Bridger's cottage in Ceinws, which was a 10-minute drive from April's home. Mark Bridger was convicted of April's abduction and murder. The families of people who have been murdered, including Michael O'Leary and Sarah Everard, have called on the Prime Minister to create a new criminal offence of desecrating a body. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (June 11), Sir Keir Starmer was asked to meet with the families of people who have been murdered and hear their plea to make it a crime to desecrate a body. Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies, who represents Caerfyrddin, said: '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. 'Would the Prime Minister meet with Mr O'Leary's family, along with other victims' families, including April Jones of Machynlleth, Sarah Everard and Helen McCourt, to hear why they are calling for a new criminal offence of desecrating a body to be introduced?' Responding, Sir Keir said: 'Can I thank her for raising this horrific case and the other similar cases and 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… 'I'm sure the justice minister will be in touch at the first opportunity to take this forward.' Mr O'Leary, a 55-year-old father of three, was shot dead by his friend Andrew Jones in 2020, after Jones found out the victim was having an affair with his wife. He then burned Mr O'Leary's body on a funeral pyre made of wood pallets, and tried to make it look like he killed himself. Sarah Everard, 33, was kidnapped and murdered by off-duty police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021, who then burned her body in the woods. Helen McCourt was 22 years old when she was killed while walking home in Merseyside, and her murderer never revealed the location of her body. Her mother, Marie McCourt, has campaigned for Helen's Law, which would make it a criminal offence to conceal a body, and Helen's Law 2, which would make a new offence of desecrating a body.
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?'
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Our family were frantically looking for my 15-year-old niece - the truth was unthinkable'
Stuart Campbell was jailed for life in December 2002 for the kidnap and murder of Danielle Lloyd, his 15-year-old niece, and has never admitted the crime nor revealed where her body is The brother of the murderer of Danielle Lloyd who has never revealed where he hid the body of his niece says it was 'unthinkable' when he was told of the heinous crime. Stuart Campbell was jailed for life in December 2002 for the kidnap and murder of the 15-year-old schoolgirl. Danielle left home in Tilbury, Essex on June 18, 2001, to catch a bus to school when Campbell lured her into his blue transit van and abducted her. Her devastated parents never saw her again and, cruelly, Campbell has never confessed to the killing nor said where her body is. His brother Alix Sharkey said the truth was 'unthinkable' when he heard Campbell was involved. He told MailOnline: 'At first, unable to believe my brother could be involved in such a sickening crime, I'd hoped it would turn out to be a hideous case of mistaken identity. "After all, only five years earlier, Danielle had been a bridesmaid at Stuart and Debbie's wedding alongside my own daughter Fiona. 'How do you cope when you discover your younger brother – the once bright and cherubic little boy who had a beautiful singing voice and went to private school – is a sex offender and a killer? And worse still, the clues were there all along, but you had never realised. 'Our brotherly connection means I still cannot say I hate Stuart, though obviously I can never love him as I once did. Almost 24 years on from her death, I still hope one day Stuart does the right thing and tells them where she is buried.' Mr Sharkey previously said his brother should not be released until he says where Danielle is. He said: 'I do not believe my brother should be released until he discloses what he did with Danielle Jones' body. 'Her parents have been through a living hell. They have never had closure. My brother hasn't even given them their daughter so they have a place to grieve.' Danielle's disappearance led to a search of more than 1,500 locations. Campbell was arrested within weeks and found guilty at trial after a pair of white stockings with Danielle's DNA on them were discovered at his home. He was also found to have faked texts from Danielle and lied about where he was at the time of the murder. In 2019, Danielle's mother, Linda Jones, said she did not want Campbell to be released from prison if he did not reveal where her body was. She said she backs Helen's Law, named after murdered Helen McCourt, which aims to prevent parole for killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victim's body.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
A woman's wait to find the body of her murdered sister
"Every morning you wake up wondering will today be the day that we find her body?" This is a thought that Sinead Corrigan has been living with for more than 12 years. Her sister Charlotte Murray went missing in 2012 and her body has never been found. In 2019 her former partner Johnny Miller was convicted of her murder. In a rare interview Charlotte's sister, Sinead, has been speaking to BBC News NI. It comes as her family continues to campaign for a change in the law in murder cases where killers conceal the location of victims' bodies. The legislation - dubbed Charlotte's Law - has already been out for public consultation and there are plans to introduce it to the Northern Ireland Assembly within the next year. The proposed law outlines a series of measures that it is hoped could encourage killers to volunteer information about where victims' remains are. This includes potential reduced sentences for those who disclose the location of a victims' remains and longer prisoner sentences for those who do not. Charlotte Murray was originally from Omagh in County Tyrone. But for the final years of her life she had been living in the village of Moy with her partner at the time, Johnny Miller. He is currently serving a life sentence for her murder with a 16-year tariff imposed in 2020. Charlotte's sister told BBC News NI that not knowing where her sister's body is continues to have a profound impact on her family. "Charlotte was a strong woman, I would say she was definitely free spirited and she was a kind person," she said. "We're a big family, Charlotte was one of 11 children, it's had a huge impact on every single one of us, it has taken it's toll on everybody, it's hard to move forward when we don't even have a grave to visit." Charlotte was last seen alive in October 2012 and her family have been trying to find her ever since. There have been a number of high-profile searches for her body. Ms Corrigan said the idea for Charlotte's Law came about after her family found out about legislation in England and Wales that followed the disappearance of 22-year-old Helen McCourt in Merseyside in 1988. Her killer Ian Simms was freed from jail without disclosing the location of her remains. But now Helen's Law places a statutory obligation on the parole board to take into account an offender's non-disclosure of certain information when making a decision about their release from prison. Ms Corrigan added: "On the one hand you don't want to give the people that have hurt your loved one anything, we knew that we needed to have an incentive for offenders in some cases. "But really it's about giving the victims and their families what they need, because not knowing where you loved one is, that is something I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy." Charlotte's family also hope any new legislation could help lead to the location of her body and are building in proposals that could be applied retrospectively to cases that have already been through the courts. Justice Minister Naomi Long said the aim is that Charlotte's Law will build upon the work of Helen's Law and help bereaved families in Northern Ireland. Speaking to BBC News NI, Ms Long said: "We know that not having a body to bury can really impact on the mental health of a family and on their ability to grieve properly. "It's something we discussed at length with bereaved families because things like reductions of tariffs of those convicted of such heinous crimes is always an extremely sensitive issue." The Justice Minister added: "With Charlotte's law we wanted to bring forward incentives at each stage, from arrest to sentencing and with that there will be a sliding scale in terms of the impact it would have on tariffs, depending on how early the information is released." "Even when they're in prison, they may have had time to think about the enormity of their situation and suddenly they have second thoughts, and they might give up that information and that could entitle them to a slight reduction in their tariff," Long added. Charlotte Murray's family have also worked closely on the campaign with relatives of Lisa Dorrian, who disappeared in 2005. Her body has also never been found. Last month on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, for the first time police released CCTV footage which was filmed just days before Ms Dorrian's disappearance. Sinead Corrigan said it's her hope that other families will not have to endure the same experience. "It's been a long road and we've been blown away by the support from politicians and families like the Dorrians to help us raise the profile of this issue," she said. She added: "Obviously you don't want any family to be in the situation of losing a loved one to murder, but if that awful thing does happen, we hope Charlotte's Law will help in the journey to bring their loved ones home." Charlotte's Law is to be included as part of the Sentencing Bill, and is expected to have reached Stormont committee stage next year, before coming law. Killer urged to 'end cowardly silence' over body Killers who hide bodies could face longer in jail Destroying remains 'should be a separate crime'
BBC News
22-03-2025
- BBC News
Charlotte Murray: 'Not having my sister's body prolongs grief'
"Every morning you wake up wondering will today be the day that we find her body?"This is a thought that Sinead Corrigan has been living with for more than 12 sister Charlotte Murray went missing in 2012 and her body has never been 2019 her former partner Johnny Miller was convicted of her a rare interview Charlotte's sister, Sinead, has been speaking to BBC News comes as her family continues to campaign for a change in the law in murder cases where killers conceal the location of victims' bodies. The legislation - dubbed Charlotte's Law - has already been out for public consultation and there are plans to introduce it to the Northern Ireland Assembly within the next proposed law outlines a series of measures that it is hoped could encourage killers to volunteer information about where victims' remains includes potential reduced sentences for those who disclose the location of a victims' remains and longer prisoner sentences for those who do not. Charlotte's story Charlotte Murray was originally from Omagh in County for the final years of her life she had been living in the village of Moy with her partner at the time, Johnny is currently serving a life sentence for her murder with a 16-year tariff imposed in sister told BBC News NI that not knowing where her sister's body is continues to have a profound impact on her family."Charlotte was a strong woman, I would say she was definitely free spirited and she was a kind person," she said."We're a big family, Charlotte was one of 11 children, it's had a huge impact on every single one of us, it has taken it's toll on everybody, it's hard to move forward when we don't even have a grave to visit." Charlotte was last seen alive in October 2012 and her family have been trying to find her ever have been a number of high-profile searches for her Corrigan said the idea for Charlotte's Law came about after her family found out about legislation in England and Wales that followed the disappearance of 22-year-old Helen McCourt in Merseyside in killer Ian Simms was freed from jail without disclosing the location of her now Helen's Law places a statutory obligation on the parole board to take into account an offender's non-disclosure of certain information when making a decision about their release from prison. Ms Corrigan added: "On the one hand you don't want to give the people that have hurt your loved one anything, we knew that we needed to have an incentive for offenders in some cases."But really it's about giving the victims and their families what they need, because not knowing where you loved one is, that is something I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy." 'Heinous crime' Charlotte's family also hope any new legislation could help lead to the location of her body and are building in proposals that could be applied retrospectively to cases that have already been through the Minister Naomi Long said the aim is that Charlotte's Law will build upon the work of Helen's Law and help bereaved families in Northern to BBC News NI, Ms Long said: "We know that not having a body to bury can really impact on the mental health of a family and on their ability to grieve properly."It's something we discussed at length with bereaved families because things like reductions of tariffs of those convicted of such heinous crimes is always an extremely sensitive issue."The Justice Minister added: "With Charlotte's law we wanted to bring forward incentives at each stage, from arrest to sentencing and with that there will be a sliding scale in terms of the impact it would have on tariffs, depending on how early the information is released." "Even when they're in prison, they may have had time to think about the enormity of their situation and suddenly they have second thoughts, and they might give up that information and that could entitle them to a slight reduction in their tariff," Long Murray's family have also worked closely on the campaign with relatives of Lisa Dorrian, who disappeared in body has also never been month on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, for the first time police released CCTV footage which was filmed just days before Ms Dorrian's disappearance. Sinead Corrigan said it's her hope that other families will not have to endure the same experience."It's been a long road and we've been blown away by the support from politicians and families like the Dorrians to help us raise the profile of this issue," she added: "Obviously you don't want any family to be in the situation of losing a loved one to murder, but if that awful thing does happen, we hope Charlotte's Law will help in the journey to bring their loved ones home."Charlotte's Law is to be included as part of the Sentencing Bill, and is expected to have reached Stormont committee stage next year, before coming law.
