Latest news with #Helen'sLaw
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Daily Record
Sarah Everard's family 'couldn't see her to say goodbye' due to killer's act
Sarah's family joined other relatives of victims of murder to explain their torment. Murderers who hide, dismember or burn their victim's corpses could face a new criminal offence of desecrating the body, which has been backed by grieving families. Grieving families - including Sarah Everard's parents - met with MPs to tell of the torment they feel knowing their loved one's bodies had been violated by their evil killers. The meeting followed a campaign by Marie McCourt whose 22-year-old daughter, Helen, was murdered in 1988 by pub landlord Peter Simms. Her remains have never been found. Families met with Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones earlier this week and she vowed to review current legislation. Among them were Sarah Everard's mum, Susan, who spoke about how her daughter's body was set alight and hidden inside bin bags before being submerged in water by twisted Wayne Couzens, reports the Mirror. She said: 'It was an act of disrespect and cruelty which caused us enormous heartache and rage. Because of what he did, we weren't able to see Sarah to say goodbye. It was all we had left - a chance to honour her and see her one last time and we were denied this.' Marie first launched the 'Stop the Desecration' campaign in the Mirror in November 2021. She was previously the driving force behind Helen's Law, named after her beloved daughter. The Law requires the Parole Board to consider a killer's failure to disclose the location of their victim's remains when deciding on whether to grant them parole Since the law was passed in January 2021, five applications from prisoners who refuse to say what they have done with victims' bodies have been refused. At the meeting on Tuesday Susan Everard, who attended with husband Jeremy, quietly spoke about how her daughter was abducted, raped and murdered by serving police officer Couzens, in 2021, before the twisted predator tried to cover his crime. 'He did it to hide the evidence, to cover his tracks, to maintain the illusion of being a decent family man," she said. Susan told MPs: 'During the investigation into Sarah's disappearance, I asked to be told all the facts, however terrible. But I have never asked what she looked like when she was found. It is too awful to contemplate. 'I have seen pictures of burnt bodies. I know her beauty would have been decimated. But I block these images - it is too distressing. Our daughter's murderer received a full life sentence for the crimes of kidnap, rape and murder. The attempt to destroy her body was noted as an aggravating factor but there was no specific law to allow the act of desecration to be treated as a separate crime and to be punishable as such. 'In our case it would have made no difference to the length of sentence, but it would have been an acknowledgement of the seriousness and horror of the act of desecration and the terrible impact it has on the victim's family. It goes against all that is regarded as right and proper by society.' Marie, 82, of Billinge, Merseyside, was unable to attend the meeting due to ill health, but sent an emotional statement that was read out by campaigning journalist Fiona Duffy. She said: 'Simms had been charged and convicted of murder. Surely that was enough? But it's not Helen's murder that continues to torture me every minute of every day and night. It's the fact that she is still out there. Lost. 'Killers resort to desperate lengths….hiding, dismembering, burning or trying to destroy a body - in their attempt to commit the perfect murder. Bereavement experts say that such acts trigger a grief so complex, disturbing and all-consuming that it never eases. "Respecting the dead, even in wartime, is a basic human dignity. That is all we are asking for today. I will continue, until my last breath, to fight on to prevent any other family experiencing this torture.' Minister Alex Davies-Jones told the families: 'What's important is that we acknowledge there is work to be done in this area. It's clear there is a legislative gap that needs to be looked at. And we shouldn't be dragging our feet with this.' She announced she had already asked the Law Commission, the independent body which recommends legal reform in England and Wales, to review current legislation. The Minister said she would work with the campaign group and its supporters,including Associate Professor of Law, Dr Imogen Jones, who has written two papers arguing for a reform of current legislation, and look at other countries that have these laws in place. Other families at the meeting also laid bare their pain. Lesley Rees fought back tears as she revealed how the grave of her murdered brother, Mike O'Leary, contains just six centimetres of his remains which were recovered by forensic experts. She said: 'The perpetrator planned the murder meticulously and would have gotten away with it was it not for the excellent work of Dyfed Powys Police officers.' After shooting Mike, in a secluded area, his former friend Andrew Jones used a fork lift truck to move the body into the boot of his car. Lesley, who attended with her widowed sister-in-law, Sian, said: 'The following night, he placed his body on top of a pile of wooden pallets and kept an intense fire burning all night, continually adding more fuel. What was done to Mike's body is forever embellished in our brains. 'But despite Jones admitting in a pre-trial hearing that he had lured Mike to the scene, was responsible for his death and had disposed of his body, he was only ever charged with murder. If he had been found not guilty then he would have been a free man. We continue to live each day with the agony of knowing how that monster treated our loved one's body. 'We are all suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mum, who is 87, lights candles every day. She calls it 'waking Mike up' and has a shrine in the house for him. It is so hard to see the pain in her eyes and hear her cry like a wounded animal. I am begging you, please ensure this law is passed – and quickly.' MP Steve Witherden, read out a statement from Coral Jones, mother of five-year-old April, who was abducted from outside her home and murdered by Mark Bridger in 2012. She described how the family were able to have a funeral for April. 'But the coffin was empty apart from a few little bits of bones and personal items I was able to place inside. 'I don't go to the grave as much as I used to because I know she's not all there. I know he killed my daughter. But I also know that, afterwards, he didn't hide or bury her. He did something far, far worse and that causes such pain. 'We think he has burned her to a certain amount, then put her in the river and scattered her. That's the hardest part for me. The offences Bridger was convicted of don't reflect the true horror of what he did. The law needs to be changed.' Afterwards Steve said: 'Coral's statement was incredibly harrowing and moving. I cried when I first read it but I wanted to ensure her voice could be heard. The death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a person. But to know that they have been brutally murdered and their remains desecrated is horrific.' He added: 'To my shame, I was ignorant of the law in relation to the desecration of bodies. This is a really important campaign and I will continue to support it.' Ann Davies MP, whose call for action in the House of Commons last month led to this week's meeting said: 'My first reaction, on hearing of this campaign, was disbelief that such laws don't already exist. Everybody needs respect in life – and in death. And that needs to be reflected in our criminal justice system.' Tuesday's meeting coincided with the release of the final report from an inquiry into the crimes of necrophiliac killer David Fuller – who sexually abused the bodies of more than 100 women and girls in hospital mortuaries. The MOJ, under a Conservative Government, told Marie in 2022 that it wanted to wait until the Fuller inquiry had been concluded before considering her proposal for new laws. Marie said: 'There's nothing to stop them now. The report clearly illustrates that dignity after death is an area in need of massive reform.' Chairman Sir Jonathan Michael said the inquiry is the first time the 'security and dignity' of people after death has been reviewed so comprehensively. He urged the Government to appoint a Commissioner for the Dignity of the Deceased. In her statement, Marie had said new laws could not come soon enough. 'We are one of the few nations globally not to have this legislation. In every American state, Australia, Germany, France, Portugal, Denmark, Iceland, Japan, China and Russia, killers who hide, burn, dismember or destroy bodies all face these extra charges. 'Lord Justice Charles Hadden-Cave KC, who represented bereaved families of victims of the Marchioness disaster of 1989 allowed us to use his powerful quote 'the care with which our dead are treated is a mark of how civilised a society we are', in our campaign. Desecration laws would give a clear message; that the victim matters and that vile acts committed after death will not be tolerated by a civilised society.' Marie's campaign is also supported by the families of murder victims Sasha Marsden, Jayden Parkinson, Lorraine Cox and Jan Mustafa.
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Sarah Everard's family 'couldn't see her to say goodbye' due to killer's act
Grieving families - including the parents of Sarah Everard - met with MPs to tell of the torment they feel knowing their loved one's bodies had been violated by their killers Murderers who hide, dismember or burn the corpses of their victims could soon face a new criminal offence of desecrating the body, which has been backed by grieving families. Grieving families - including the parents of Sarah Everard - met with MPs to tell of the torment they feel knowing their loved one's bodies had been violated by their killers. The meeting followed a campaign by Marie McCourt whose 22-year-old daughter, Helen, was murdered in 1988 by pub landlord Peter Simms. Her remains have never been found. Families met with Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones earlier this week and she vowed to review current legislation. Among them were Sarah Everard's mother, Susan, who spoke about how her daughter's body was set alight and hidden inside bin bags before being submerged in water by twisted Wayne Couzens. She said: 'It was an act of disrespect and cruelty which caused us enormous heartache and rage. Because of what he did, we weren't able to see Sarah to say goodbye. It was all we had left - a chance to honour her and see her one last time and we were denied this.' Marie launched the 'Stop the Desecration' campaign in the Mirror in November 2021. She was previously the driving force behind Helen's Law, named after her murdered daughter. The Law requires the Parole Board to consider a killer's failure to disclose the location of their victim's remains when deciding on parole Since the law was passed in January 2021, five applications from prisoners who refuse to say what they have done with victims' bodies have been turned down. At the meeting on Tuesday Susan Everard, who attended with husband Jeremy, quietly spoke about how her daughter was abducted, raped and murdered by serving police officer Couzens, in 2021, before he violently tried to cover his crime. 'He did it to hide the evidence, to cover his tracks, to maintain the illusion of being a decent family man," she said. Susan told MPs: 'During the investigation into Sarah's disappearance, I asked to be told all the facts, however terrible. But I have never asked what she looked like when she was found. It is too awful to contemplate. 'I have seen pictures of burnt bodies. I know her beauty would have been decimated. But I block these images - it is too distressing. Our daughter's murderer received a full life sentence for the crimes of kidnap, rape and murder. The attempt to destroy her body was noted as an aggravating factor but there was no specific law to allow the act of desecration to be treated as a separate crime and to be punishable as such. 'In our case it would have made no difference to the length of sentence, but it would have been an acknowledgement of the seriousness and horror of the act of desecration and the terrible impact it has on the victim's family. It goes against all that is regarded as right and proper by society.' Marie, 82, of Billinge, Merseyside, was unable to attend the meeting due to ill health, but sent an emotional statement read out by campaigning journalist Fiona Duffy. She said: 'Simms had been charged and convicted of murder. Surely that was enough? But it's not Helen's murder that continues to torture me every minute of every day and night. It's the fact that she is still out there. Lost. 'Killers resort to desperate lengths….hiding, dismembering, burning or trying to destroy a body - in their attempt to commit the perfect murder. Bereavement experts say that such acts trigger a grief so complex, disturbing and all-consuming that it never eases. "Respecting the dead, even in wartime, is a basic human dignity. That is all we are asking for today. I will continue, until my last breath, to fight on to prevent any other family experiencing this torture.' Minister Alex Davies-Jones told the families: 'What's important is that we acknowledge there is work to be done in this area. It's clear there is a legislative gap that needs to be looked at. And we shouldn't be dragging our feet with this.' She announced she had already asked the Law Commission, the independent body which recommends legal reform in England and Wales, to review current legislation. The Minister said she would work with the campaign group and its supporters,including Associate Professor of Law, Dr Imogen Jones, who has written two papers arguing for a reform of current legislation, and look at other countries that have these laws in place. Other families at the meeting also laid bare their pain. Lesley Rees fought back tears as she revealed how the grave of her murdered brother, Mike O'Leary, contains just six centimetres of his remains which were recovered by forensic experts. She said: 'The perpetrator planned the murder meticulously and would have gotten away with it was it not for the excellent work of Dyfed Powys Police officers.' After shooting Mike, in a secluded area, his former friend Andrew Jones used a fork lift truck to move the body into the boot of his car. Lesley, who attended with her widowed sister-in-law, Sian, said: 'The following night, he placed his body on top of a pile of wooden pallets and kept an intense fire burning all night, continually adding more fuel. What was done to Mike's body is forever embellished in our brains. 'But despite Jones admitting in a pre-trial hearing that he had lured Mike to the scene, was responsible for his death and had disposed of his body, he was only ever charged with murder. If he had been found not guilty then he would have been a free man. We continue to live each day with the agony of knowing how that monster treated our loved one's body. 'We are all suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mum, who is 87, lights candles every day. She calls it 'waking Mike up' and has a shrine in the house for him. It is so hard to see the pain in her eyes and hear her cry like a wounded animal. I am begging you, please ensure this law is passed – and quickly.' MP Steve Witherden, read out a statement from Coral Jones, mother of five-year-old April, who was abducted from outside her home and murdered by Mark Bridger in 2012. She described how the family were able to have a funeral for April. 'But the coffin was empty apart from a few little bits of bones and personal items I was able to place inside. 'I don't go to the grave as much as I used to because I know she's not all there. I know he killed my daughter. But I also know that, afterwards, he didn't hide or bury her. He did something far, far worse and that causes such pain. 'We think he has burned her to a certain amount, then put her in the river and scattered her. That's the hardest part for me. The offences Bridger was convicted of don't reflect the true horror of what he did. The law needs to be changed.' Afterwards Steve said: 'Coral's statement was incredibly harrowing and moving. I cried when I first read it but I wanted to ensure her voice could be heard. The death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a person. But to know that they have been brutally murdered and their remains desecrated is horrific.' He added: 'To my shame, I was ignorant of the law in relation to the desecration of bodies. This is a really important campaign and I will continue to support it.' Ann Davies MP, whose call for action in the House of Commons last month led to this week's meeting said: 'My first reaction, on hearing of this campaign, was disbelief that such laws don't already exist. Everybody needs respect in life – and in death. And that needs to be reflected in our criminal justice system.' Tuesday's meeting coincided with the release of the final report from an inquiry into the crimes of necrophiliac killer David Fuller – who sexually abused the bodies of more than 100 women and girls in hospital mortuaries. The MOJ, under a Conservative Government, told Marie in 2022 that it wanted to wait until the Fuller inquiry had been concluded before considering her proposal for new laws. Marie said: 'There's nothing to stop them now. The report clearly illustrates that dignity after death is an area in need of massive reform.' Chairman Sir Jonathan Michael said the inquiry is the first time the 'security and dignity' of people after death has been reviewed so comprehensively. He urged the Government to appoint a Commissioner for the Dignity of the Deceased. In her statement, Marie had said new laws could not come soon enough. 'We are one of the few nations globally not to have this legislation. In every American state, Australia, Germany, France, Portugal, Denmark, Iceland, Japan, China and Russia, killers who hide, burn, dismember or destroy bodies all face these extra charges. 'Lord Justice Charles Hadden-Cave KC, who represented bereaved families of victims of the Marchioness disaster of 1989 allowed us to use his powerful quote 'the care with which our dead are treated is a mark of how civilised a society we are', in our campaign. Desecration laws would give a clear message; that the victim matters and that vile acts committed after death will not be tolerated by a civilised society.' Marie's campaign is also supported by the families of murder victims Sasha Marsden, Jayden Parkinson, Lorraine Cox and Jan Mustafa.
Edinburgh Live
11-07-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Former Edinburgh police chief says murderers 'must reveal where bodies are to get parole'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former police chief who brought killer Peter Tobin to justice says he backs calls for murderers who do not reveal where victims' bodies are to be kept in prison. David Swindle told the Daily Record podcast, Criminal Record, that he backs Suzanne's Law. This demands that killers must disclose their victim's whereabouts if they are to be considered for parole. The Scottish Government has included a proposal for Suzanne's Law in the Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill which is going through parliament. Suzanne's Law is named after office worker Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered by colleague and ex David Gilroy in 2010. He was sentenced to life in 2012 but has never revealed what he did with her body, which is believed to be buried in Argyll. Other high-profile cases include Arlene Fraser, Margaret Fleming and Lynda Spence. Swindle, who probed more than 100 murders in a 34-year police career, said: 'We need to have something like a Suzanne's Law to stop people getting out if they don't reveal what they did with the body. 'With Suzanne Pilley her body has never been found and there is a person convicted of that, the same as Arlene Fraser, Margaret Fleming and Lynda Spence. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 'These people have never revealed what they did with the bodies. If they don't reveal what they did they should not then be eligible for parole. If your loved one is murdered by someone who is in prison and has never revealed what they did with the body you would not want them to get out." Swindle, who retired in 2011, says a murder without a body leaves victims' families in limbo. He added: 'People think by destroying the body that there is no evidence but you will still be caught." England and Wales already have a similar measure – Helen's Law. Suzanne's dad Rob died in 2019 without knowing where she was buried. Detectives believe Gilroy killed her in the building where they worked in Edinburgh after he confronted her over ending their affair. Arlene, from Elgin, Moray, vanished from her home in 1998 after her children went to school. Her husband Nat Fraser, who is serving life for her murder, has refused to say what became of his wife. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Avril Jones and Edward Cairney were jailed for life in 2019 for killing Margaret, 19, at their home in Inverkip. They refused to say where they put her. Financial adviser Lynda was abducted, tortured and killed in 2011. Colin Coats and Philip Wade were convicted of killing the 27-year-old Glaswegian in 2013. Her body has never been found. Swindle led the probe into Tobin's murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow in 2006 for which he got life. He set up Operation Anagram which led to Tobin being convicted of the murders of Vicky Hamilton, 15, and Dinah McNicol, 18. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Justice Secretary supported an amendment at Stage 2 in May which requires the Parole Board to take account of whether the prisoner has information about the disposal of the victim's remains but has not disclosed it. "If the Bill is passed then this will become law."
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Daily Record
'Murderers must reveal where bodies are hidden to get parole' says ex-top cop
David Swindle tells our Criminal Record podcast that he backs proposals for a Suzanne's Law where the killer must disclose their victim's whereabouts if they are to be considered for parole. The ex-police chief who brought serial killer Peter Tobin to justice says murderers who do not reveal locations of victims' bodies should never be released. David Swindle tells our Criminal Record podcast that he backs a Suzanne's Law where the killer must disclose their victim's whereabouts if they are to be considered for parole. The Scottish Government has included a proposal for a Suzanne's Law in the Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill which is going through parliament. Suzanne's Law is named after office worker Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered by colleague and ex David Gilroy in 2010. He was sentenced to life in 2012 but has never revealed what he did with her body, which is believed to be buried in Argyll. Other high-profile cases include Arlene Fraser, Margaret Fleming and Lynda Spence. Swindle, who probed more than 100 murders in a 34-year police career, said: 'We need to have something like a Suzanne's Law to stop people getting out if they don't reveal what they did with the body. 'With Suzanne Pilley her body has never been found and there is a person convicted of that, the same as Arlene Fraser, Margaret Fleming and Lynda Spence. 'These people have never revealed what they did with the bodies. If they don't reveal what they did they should not then be eligible for parole. If your loved one is murdered by someone who is in prison and has never revealed what they did with the body, you would not want them to get out.' Swindle, who retired in 2011, says a murder without a body leaves victims' families in limbo. He added: 'People think by destroying the body that there is no evidence but you will still be caught.' England and Wales already have a similar measure – Helen's Law. Suzanne's dad Rob died in 2019 without knowing where she was buried. Detectives believe Gilroy killed her in the building where they worked in Edinburgh after he confronted her over ending their affair. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Arlene, from Elgin, Moray, vanished from her home in 1998 after her c hildren went to school. Her husband Nat Fraser, who is serving life for her murder, has refused to say what became of his wife. Avril Jones and Edward Cairney were jailed for life in 2019 for killing Margaret, 19, at their home in Inverkip. They refused to say where they put her. Financial adviser Lynda was abducted, tortured and killed in 2011. Colin Coats and Philip Wade were convicted of killing the 27-year-old Glaswegian in 2013. Her body has never been found Swindle led the probe into Tobin's murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow in 2006 for which he got life. He set up Operation Anagram which led to Tobin being convicted of the murders of Vicky Hamilton, 15, and Dinah McNicol, 18. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Justice Secretary supported an amendment at Stage 2 in May which requires the Parole Board to take account of whether the prisoner has information about the disposal of the victim's remains but has not disclosed it. 'If the Bill is passed then this will become law.' To watch the podcast, head over to our YouTube channel by clicking here. You can also subscribe to listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts by searching for 'Criminal Record' .
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Cannibal killer horror letter to victim's partner from his prison cell
David Harker, who killed mother-of-four Julie Paterson in 1998 and then ate part of her body with cheese and pasta, has had his latest plea for freedom rejected A cannibal killer, serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of a mother-of-four from Darlington, continues to have his appeals for freedom rejected. David Harker, who refuses to reveal to authorities where he disposed of Julie Paterson's body, has had his release turned down multiple times under Helen's Law, which was brought in during 2021. The legislation was created to make parole harder for murderers who won't reveal where their victim's remains are located. Helen's Law was introduced following Marie McCourt's relentless campaigning after her daughter Helen's death, resulting in amendments to the Parole Board's guidelines for judges handling manslaughter and murder cases where the victim's body remains missing. Harker is serving a minimum sentence of 14 years after admitting manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility when 32 year old Julie vanished from her Darlington home in 1998, according to The Mirror, reports the Express. The killer bragged about eating Julie's body with cheese and pasta. Whilst her torso was discovered in a bag found in a Darlington garden, Harker has declined to reveal what he did with the remaining body parts for more than two decades. Julie was a vulnerable individual struggling with depression when she first encountered Harker, just five weeks before her death. Harker enticed Julie back to his flat in the town's Harewood Grove after the pair had been drinking in a local park. He subsequently confessed he attacked her because he was "bored," strangling Julie to death. Harker has remained behind bars for an additional 12 years beyond his initial 14-year minimum sentence due to regular Parole Board reviews denying his release. Sporting tattoos of the words "sub-human" and "disorder" on his head, Harker chillingly told psychiatrists: "People like me don't come from those films, them films come from people like me." A psychiatrist's report presented in court labelled Harker as "evil" and beyond the help of hospital treatment. The murderer has consistently refused to disclose the whereabouts of Julie Paterson's head, legs, and arms. Instead, he penned a cruel letter to Miss Paterson's former partner and father of her two children, Freddie Newman, from his cell. In this letter, Harker mocked Freddie, who had desperately implored him to reveal the location of the rest of Miss Paterson's remains. Harker wrote: "It's always good to know that people are thinking of me, especially those who suffer because of my actions. "You are correct when you speak of decency, I have none. I have no inhibitions, remorse or regret, and therefore care not one bit if your wife has a full body burial or not. "I hope you are happy in the knowledge that you don't suffer alone in your loss. Your wife was not the first or the last person I killed."
