Author Topic: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.  (Read 22289 times)

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Offline Pic

Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« on: April 21, 2016, 09:45:52 AM »
The disappearance of Helen McCourt: Where did pub Landlord bury/dispose of her body and what was the motive for his crime of suspected murder?



Ian Simms escorted by police during his trial for the murder of Helen McCourt in 1988.

Helen McCourt (29 July 1965 – c. 9 February 1988) was a 22-year-old insurance clerk from Lancashire (now Merseyside), England, who disappeared on 9 February 1988 in the town of Billinge, Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, shortly after getting off a bus less than five hundred yards from her home.
Her body has never been found. Ian Simms, a local pub landlord, was subsequently charged with and convicted of her murder. The case is a rare example where a murder conviction has been obtained without the presence of a body, and was one of the first in the UK to use DNA fingerprinting.

Helen McCourt spoke with her mother by telephone before 4:00 pm on 9 February 1988, shortly before she was due to leave work. She was planning to go out for the evening with her new boyfriend and wanted her tea ready earlier so she had time to wash her hair. Two days before her disappearance, Helen had been involved in a heated argument with a woman in the George and Dragon pub, the landlord was Ian Simms (aged 31 at the time – a married man with two small children).
After the argument, Simms had banned Helen from the pub and, according to several customers, had used obscene language about her and said how much he "hated" her. He had made sexual advances to her which she had rejected, and he also believed she knew about his affair with his 21-year-old mistress and was gossiping about it.



Murder victim Helen McCourt, 22, who disappeared in 1988.  Her body has never been found.

Helen alighted from her bus around 5:30 pm and set off on the short journey home, a route that took her past the pub. Within minutes, a man getting off another bus heard a loud scream coming from the pub that was cut short. Helen McCourt has never been seen or heard from since that night.
While being questioned by police, Simms came under suspicion when he became extremely nervous. His car was impounded, and forensic scientists found traces of Helen's blood: spots of blood on the rubber sill of the boot and a bloodstain on the boot carpet. In the boot they also found an opal and pearl earring, later identified by Marie McCourt as one of a pair Helen had been given for her 21st birthday; she had been wearing the earrings on the day she vanished. Traces of her blood were also found in Simm's flat: on the carpet at the foot of the stairs leading to his apartment, on a bedroom carpet in his flat, on wallpaper in the bedroom, and splashed on wallpaper next to the outside door to Simm's accommodation, where police believe she was first attacked.

In March, Helen's handbag, taupe coat, maroon scarf, navy trousers and green mittens were found on a riverbank in Irlam, about 20 miles away, in a black binliner proved to have been taken from a roll of them in Simms's pub. Her brand new trousers, worn for the first time on the morning of her disappearance, had fibres on them from the stair carpet, landing carpet and bedroom carpet of Simms' flat, indicating she was dragged upstairs after being attacked by him (a witness working in the pub's restaurant testified she heard dragging noises from above her during the time of the murder). Also found with her clothing was a length of electrical flex. This was similar to other lengths of flex found in Simm's flat, which he used in playing with his two dogs. The flex found at Irlam had dog toothmarks on it that were matched to Simm's dogs; it also had strands of human hair adhering to it that were matched to hairs from Helen McCourt's hair rollers. Police believe the flex was used to strangle her.

Simms claims he was framed and hopes his chance of parole will give him his freedom back but it has been rejected on previous occasions and he will not admit his guilt in this crime and says he was set up. but who by then? if the killler wasn't him then who was it? i wish we could find out more about this case because I did hear a theory that Simms had access to an incinerator at Billinge Hospital to dispose of the body, but surely people would have seen him and i find this a little far fetched. or is it? and to carry all this out while running a pub/restaurant at the same time? what is the truth to this case? the full story.

1) what do you think happened in the pub between Helen and Simms? (she had been a bar maid at the pub the previous year but left) why did she return to the pub to talk with Simms if she was so eager to get home and prepare herself for a date with her new boyfriend? was it really over an affair or was Simm's jealous? and if so did the mistress/wife of Simms ever notice any violent behaviour during the marriage/affair? why did he strike out at Helen apart from "hating" her so much?
2) do you think Simms was framed and if so, who by and why? i heard a theory that Simms knows who did it (drugs related) but will not disclose this because it will put his wife and children in danger. how true do you think this theory is?
3) what do you think the killer did with Helen's body and do you think he has ever shared this with anyone else? do you think the use of an incinerator would wipe the body completely out of existence without sounding harsh here?

Overall, i think Simms is guilty but i also think that someone knows more about this case and it's not fair that Helen's family have never been given chance to give her a proper burial. i would like to see a resolve for this family before the end of Simm's life and Helen's mother's.

http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/the-murder-of-helen-mccourt-how-the-terrible-events-unfolded-1-7715038

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/helen-mccourt-simms-killer-prison-10831854
   
« Last Edit: December 08, 2016, 08:59:41 PM by John »

Offline Myster

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2016, 12:53:19 PM »
Simms is as guilty as sin and a fantasist who uses every excuse to foist the blame on some mythical third party. The evidence against this murderer was overwhelming and rather than being moved to an open prison, Simms should have remained securely locked up until he reveals what happened to Helen McCourt and where he disposed of her body.
It's one of them cases, in'it... one of them f*ckin' cases.

Offline Pic

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2016, 12:00:45 AM »
Ian simms has been incarcerated for 29 years for a murder he may not have committed.  He has continuously denied any involvement in helen mccourts disappearance, yet with her body still not found he has been denied parole again and again.  He has served 16 YEARS over his minimum tariff. 

Just like eddie gilfoyle he has steadfastly protested his innonence, whilst the victims mother has successfully campaigned for years and stopped simms having a voice after a ruling that journalists were not allowed to visit prisonrrs  (simms, o'brien v) 

The head of CID, Merseyside policd Detective Inspector Tom Baxter witheld vital files which could have exonerated  eddie gilfoyle,  i wonder if this happened in the ian simms investigation???  Same guy, same conviction.....
 


« Last Edit: December 08, 2016, 07:32:51 PM by John »

Offline John

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2016, 07:40:57 PM »
I am not familiar with this case but had a quick look at the background to what allegedly occurred.  The circumstantial evidence appears to be overwhelming and certainly goes far beyond that which one would expect in a situation where someone had been set up.

A man came forward to say that, on the morning after Helen's disappearance, he had discovered a blood-stained towel while walking his dog along the Manchester Ship Canal in Hollins Green, Warrington. He later discovered a second towel along with several items of men's clothing, which also had blood on them; the blood was later identified as coming from Helen McCourt. The jumper had the logo of Labatts beer on it, a brand of beer popular at the George and Dragon pub. After first denying it, Simms later admitted these were his clothes.

Weeks after Helen's disappearace her handbag, taupe coat, maroon scarf, navy trousers and green mittens were found on a riverbank in Irlam, about 20 miles away, in a black binliner proved to have been taken from a roll of them in Simms's pub. Fibres from trousers Helen wore for the first time on the morning of her disappearance were found on the stair carpet, landing carpet, and bedroom carpet of Simms' flat, indicating she was dragged upstairs after being attacked by him. A witness working in the pub's restaurant testified she heard dragging noises from above her during the time of the murder. Also found with her clothing was a length of electrical flex. This was similar to other lengths of flex found in Simm's flat, which he used in playing with his two dogs. The flex found at Irlam had dog toothmarks on it that were matched to Simm's dogs; it also had strands of human hair adhering to it that were matched to hairs from Helen McCourt's hair rollers. Police believe the flex was used to strangle her.

The location of these finds near the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Irwell in Irlam could be clues as to where Helen's remains were hidden.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2016, 08:58:22 PM by John »
A malicious prosecution for a crime which never existed. An exposé of egregious malfeasance by public officials.
Indeed, the truth never changes with the passage of time.

Offline puglove

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2016, 11:37:12 PM »
Simms is as guilty as sin and a fantasist who uses every excuse to foist the blame on some mythical third party. The evidence against this murderer was overwhelming and rather than being moved to an open prison, Simms should have remained securely locked up until he reveals what happened to Helen McCourt and where he disposed of her body.

As ever, Myster, you're bang on the button. Not only does Simms look like a cross between Crippen and Hitler, the evidence is indeed overwhelming. It's all a bit like the Vincent Tabak crap that's happening on here at the moment. When it walks like duck, and quacks like duck.......
Jeremy Bamber kicked Mike Tesko in the fanny.

Offline Pic

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2016, 12:07:52 AM »
The orgy of evidence that was found in this case was 'too perfect'. Bloodstained clothes found were A labbatts top, jeans and 2 labbatts bar towels.  Simms always denied these clothes belonged to him.  They wasn't hidden,  the jeans were found in the middle of footpath like someone had just stepped out of them.  The victims bag and clothes were found with Simms coat a month later.  Simms confirmed this was his jacket even though a clump of the victims hair was found in his pocket.  Nearby they also found a length of electrical flex tied into a noose and a spade that belonged to Simms.  For a person who can conceal a body that well it still hasn't been found,  he sure was sloppy in hiding the evidence.  There was NO blood found on any of the victims clothes or Simms jacket,  not even a trace.!!! 

There were several sightings of the victim in several locations, yet the police concluded that she DID catch the bus to her hometown, although no-one saw her.... 

I could go on and on....

Offline Angelo222

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2016, 11:56:31 AM »
Ian simms has been incarcerated for 29 years for a murder he may not have committed.  He has continuously denied any involvement in helen mccourts disappearance, yet with her body still not found he has been denied parole again and again.  He has served 16 YEARS over his minimum tariff. 

Just like eddie gilfoyle he has steadfastly protested his innonence, whilst the victims mother has successfully campaigned for years and stopped simms having a voice after a ruling that journalists were not allowed to visit prisonrrs  (simms, o'brien v) 

The head of CID, Merseyside policd Detective Inspector Tom Baxter witheld vital files which could have exonerated  eddie gilfoyle,  i wonder if this happened in the ian simms investigation???  Same guy, same conviction.....

Simms is deemed too much of a danger to the public to be released on parole so what is that all about?  Could it be that like the Bamber case, there are there fears of reprisals if he is released?

« Last Edit: December 10, 2016, 12:01:03 PM by Angelo222 »
De troothe has the annoying habit of coming to the surface just when you least expect it!!

Je ne regrette rien!!

Offline Kaisha

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2016, 01:37:44 PM »
I live in Billinge where all this took place.  The victims mother has campaigned for years against Simms.  She has stopped him having a voice.  The journalist Bob Woffinden took an interest in Simms ' case and started to visit him in prison,  he too believes Simms to be the victim of a miscarriage of justice.  The victims mother didn't like this and complained to the justice minister who slapped a ban on journalists NOT to be allowed to have contact with any prisoners (R v ex-parte Simms, O'Brien) and now she is pushing for a new law in which would see a killer behind bars until they reveal where the victims remains are.  It's called "Helens Law". 

Believe me, the investigation, the trial was a complete shambles.  This guy was banged up within 36 hours of her disappearance.  They arrested him for murder without a scrap of evidence.  No-one saw the girl get off the bus for gods sake.  I remember that a lot of witnesses said she got into a car when she got off the train in St. Helens,  yet the police where adamant she got off the bus in billinge with NO sightings of her.  the numerous TV shows and interviews

Offline Kaisha

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2016, 01:45:50 PM »
I knew Simms, yes he was a rum lad but NEVER would he hurt a lady, never mind murder one of them.  He was arrogant at times but being a doorman and then owning a pub,  you have to take that persona otherwise punters would walk all over you.

He was framed.  By whom I do not know,  but one thing is for sure,  the reason she still ain't been found is because they have the wrong man banged up for it.  30 years he's been in there STILL protesting his innocence.  His last parole was slightly a move in the right direction as they recommended him move to an open prison ready for release.  They know they can't justify keeping him in there but they can't just let him out as he is institutionalised. 

I personally look forward to the guy breathing fresh air again,  it would be very interesting listening to his story instead of all the bollocks I have to read regarding this case

Offline Pic

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2016, 01:52:37 PM »
Totally agree Kaisha.  Where you aware that Simms' defence team where DENIED access to the DNA samples?  I can't believe that.  That is not a fair trial surely?

I remember when they arrested Simms and led him out the pub,  a little crowd had gathered and the press where there too.  A massive crowd was there when they took Simms and the jury to the pub.  Jesus he didn't stand a chance, they already hD him banged up before they heard anything of the trial.  Joke of a trial, innocent BEFORE proven guilty??! 

That was blew out the water for sunny.... poor guy

Offline Nicholas

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2019, 04:23:37 PM »
Simms is deemed too much of a danger to the public to be released on parole so what is that all about?  Could it be that like the Bamber case, there are there fears of reprisals if he is released?

Clearly not..

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-11-21/murderer-ian-simms-meets-test-for-release-from-prison-despite-never-revealing-location-of-victim-helen-mccourt-s-body/
Who wants to take on this great massive lie?” Writer Martin Preib on the tsunami of innocence fraud sweeping our nation

Offline Nicholas

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2019, 04:42:44 PM »
Danny Shaw
@DannyShawBBC
1h
Panel says Simms hasn’t completed any offender behaviour programmes because of his denial, but rules it’s safe to release him because of “progress” he’s made, “considerable change in his behaviour...protective factors” & lack of involvement in violence or substance misuse

https://mobile.twitter.com/DannyShawBBC/status/1197529740724375554
Who wants to take on this great massive lie?” Writer Martin Preib on the tsunami of innocence fraud sweeping our nation

Offline Myster

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2019, 04:54:16 PM »
I can see this ending up like the Worboys fiasco.
It's one of them cases, in'it... one of them f*ckin' cases.

Offline Nicholas

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2019, 12:50:21 AM »
I can see this ending up like the Worboys fiasco.

How so? Worboys had multiple victims, many of whom received no justice. Ian Simms circumstances are very different.

Who wants to take on this great massive lie?” Writer Martin Preib on the tsunami of innocence fraud sweeping our nation

Offline Nicholas

Re: Ian Simms was convicted of the Helen McCourt murder in 1988.
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2019, 09:36:45 AM »
Mark Leech asks in his article ‘Helen’s Law: What happens when juries believe a liar,

”Who knows what may happen when juries, families or the Parole Board, believe a liar?”
https://prisons.org.uk/the-view-from-here/elens-law-what-happens-when-juries-believe-a-liar/
Who wants to take on this great massive lie?” Writer Martin Preib on the tsunami of innocence fraud sweeping our nation