Key Facts

• Helen McCourt disappeared in February 1988 and was murdered by Ian Simms.
• Simms has never disclosed where her body is located.
• Marie McCourt campaigned for this change to the law.
• The Bill consists of three clauses addressing the Parole Board's duty to consider non-disclosure when assessing prisoner release risk.
• Robert Buckland acknowledges the Chair of the Select Committee's experience in criminal justice.
• The case of Vanessa George is cited as an example of a horrific situation where the offender refused to disclose victim identities.
• Clause 1 and Clause 2 of the Bill aim to legally mandate that non-disclosure be considered by the Parole Board when making release decisions for prisoners.
• Schedule 21 of sentencing guidelines allows judges to adjust sentences based on factors like remorse or non-cooperation.
• The provision is already part of Parole Board practice.
• The Bill addresses cases like Helen McCourt's murder and Vanessa George's crimes against children.
• Support from both sides of the House is sought.
• The Bill will put into statute existing Parole Board guidance for considering non-disclosure of victim information by offenders convicted of murder, manslaughter, or taking/creating indecent images of children.
• Helen McCourt was murdered in 1988, and her body remains undiscovered despite the release of her murderer last week who refused to disclose her whereabouts.
• Vanessa George abused multiple young children at Little Ted’s nursery; she was released from prison in September 2019 without revealing the identities of all her victims.
• The Bill places a statutory obligation on the Parole Board to consider non-disclosure of victim information in release decisions.
• Helen McCourt's case is highlighted where her killer was released despite not disclosing her body's whereabouts.
• Danielle Jones' murder case is mentioned, with her murderer potentially being considered for parole without revealing her remains.
• Helen McCourt was murdered in 1988 and her murderer has not disclosed her location.
• The Bill applies to England and Wales but similar cases exist elsewhere, such as the case of Charlotte Murray in Northern Ireland.
• Ian Simms, Helen's murderer, was released recently causing additional suffering for Marie and her family.
• The Bill aims to place a statutory duty on the Parole Board to consider non-disclosure issues but will not fundamentally change current practices.
• In the Worboys case, the Parole Board released a serial offender early in January 2018 after only eight years of imprisonment.
• A further, more in-depth review of the Parole Board’s activity was recommended in 2018.
• The Bill aims to safeguard victims' identities and protect their innocence.
• Vanessa George was released without naming the children she abused, leading to ongoing public pressure for legal changes.
• Parents and families have campaigned for over 32 years to bring about justice and changes in the law.
• The case of Vanessa George is highlighted as a critical example.
• Concerns about how additional charges will interact with the primary charge under the new law are raised.
• Comprehensive licence conditions have been set for Vanessa George to prevent contact with abused children and restrict internet access.
• Parents often learn about offender releases through social media or local papers due to outdated communication details.
• Helen McCourt was murdered in 1988 and her body has never been found.
• Ian Simms, convicted of murder with overwhelming evidence, recently refused to disclose the location of Helen's body upon release from prison.
• Over half a million people signed a petition supporting Helen’s law.
• The Bill has been in discussion for at least 16 years according to one MP.
• Over 1,800 victims were sexually assaulted at Medomsley detention centre between the 1960s and 1980s.
• Cases like Reynhard Sinaga and John Worboys highlight the importance of considering victim information in parole decisions.
• The Parole Board must consider withholding information by offenders during review processes.
• Helen McCourt was murdered, leading to a campaign by her mother Marie McCourt.
• The Bill aims to ensure that murderers who refuse to disclose the location of victim bodies are not granted parole.
• The Bill aims to make non-disclosure of victims' information by prisoners mandatory for the Parole Board to consider.
• It covers serious offences such as murder, rape, and indecent image offences involving children.
• The Government introduced changes allowing the Lord Chancellor to ask the Parole Board to reconsider decisions if they were not correct initially.