THE campaign to keep killers behind bars unless they reveal the whereabouts of their victim's body is gaining momentum after the story of murdered Helen McCourt was aired on ITV's Judge Rinder's Crime Stories.

More than 30 years on from the murder of 22-year-old Helen McCourt, the programme looked back at the traumatic story detailing how the insurance clerk disappeared on February 9, 1988 on her way home from work.

It detailed how she was a regular at the George and Dragon pub with her friends, which would later be the scene of her murder.

The nation was left appalled after hearing how police believe she returned to ask landlord Ian Simms to allow her to return to the pub after barring her two days prior after an argument between Helen and another woman.

It showed the harrowing details of the initial investigation and the court case leading to Simms being jailed for the crime in 1989 – despite never admitting what he did or where Helen’s body is – after police gathered overwhelming evidence and used the then new DNA testing to prove his guilt.

The episode, which was aired yesterday, Monday, January 14, spoke to Helen's mum Marie McCourt, stepfather John Sandman and former DCI of Merseyside Police Tom Purcell.

It detailed how Marie, 74, has been campaigning for a new law, which would mean convicted murderers who refuse to reveal the whereabouts of their victims’ bodies would remain behind bars.

It would be called Helen’s Law in her daughter’s memory.

Marie decided to take part in the programme with the hope of gaining the final 12,000 signatures she needs to put the petition in to 10 Downing Street.

Viewers were appalled, with thousands signing the petition after the programme aired, meaning she is even closer to reaching the 500,000 signatures needed.

One viewer, Edyta Basia Martin said: "I watched this today and it broke my heart to watch what this lady is going through.

“I hope the government will introduce a new law that denies murderers reprieve if they do not disclose the whereabouts of the body. Let's hope he never gets out."

Another, Janine Harris added: "He must not be released from prison ever unless he confesses where or what he has done with her body.

"It seems to me beyond any doubt that he committed her murder, therefore he was the last person to see her alive.

"Therefore it follows that he knows what he did with her body and where it can be found.

"I am disgusted with the his controlling behaviour in this matter, and that he can carry on denying that he killed her. Please keep strong Marie."

Helen's mum, Marie, said: "It's horrible when I have to tell Helen's story over and over again every time, because to me it's like it's happening right now all over again. In my head and my heart, it is horrific.

"But I did it because it is so important her killer doesn't get released unless he tells me where my daughter is.

"I wasn't sure whether to get involved, but the show people told me that Judge Rinder is completely behind Helen's Law and especially wanted to feature it.

"Please consider signing the petition so her killer will never walk free unless she has peace."

To sign the petition click here.