And she says she wants to look him in the eye and make him admit his crime and tell her where her daughter's body lies.

Helen McCourt, the 22-year-old Billinge insurance clerk, was murdered by Simms after disappearing on her way home from work on February 9 1988.

Evidence suggested that he battered and strangled her in the George and Dragon pub in Main Street, where he was the landlord. But he subsequently disposed of Helen's remains which have never since been found.

The trial made history because Simms was found guilty of murder in the absence of a body. He has consistently denied murdering Helen and, ironically, his protestations of innocence have meant that he is likely to have already spent longer behind bars than he would have done if he had confessed.

Simms tried to appeal against the conviction in 1991 but leave was refused. He would have been up for parole after 13 years, but at that point the Criminal Cases Review Commission was examining supposed new evidence in a bid for a re-trial. But this too fell through.

His first attempt at getting parole came in January last year and it was denied. His refusal to admit guilt has meant that he is not seen to be engaging in the rehabilitation process, coming to terms with his crime or facing up to consequences.
This also counts against his chances of release.

Click next page for more ...