The widow of PC Andrew Harper, who sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Berkshire, has shared her disgust that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free
It has been confirmed that PC Andrew Harper’s killers will be released early from prison despite the overwhelming recent public outcry.
Pc Harper was 28 years old when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019. He died after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and both 17 years old at the time, were handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020.
Now, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed both men may be eligible to be released from prison halfway through their sentences.
Soft-justice plans to free Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole halfway through 13-year jail terms were paused last month. But following a review, there will be no change to manslaughter cases, which means the two thugs could be out in months.
Furious widow Lissie Harper, 35, told The Sun: “This is disgusting. I’m beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear Andrew’s killers are soon to be free.”
She added: ““The Government and justice system have not just let me down, they have added insult to injury. This is an utter betrayal, one I will not be able to forgive or forget.”
Under the new Sentencing Act, set to come into force in September, some 6,000 criminals are set to be released under the early prison release scheme. The driver of the vehicle that caused Pc Harper’s death, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence and will not be eligible for the scheme.
Early releases will begin in October this year.
Thames Valley Police has now issued a statement on PC Andrew Harper’s killers being eligible for early release. Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “I am beyond disappointed the Government is continuing to allow PC Andrew Harper’s killers to be released early from prison despite the overwhelming recent public outcry.
“It is simple: if Andrew’s killers were convicted today, they would receive life sentences due to the law that was created in his name. They would not be eligible for early release.
“This decision is demoralising for all police officers and our fellow emergency service workers, not just in the Thames Valley, that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve their community.
“We stand with Andrew’s family, the Police Federation, our Police and Crime Commissioner in our dismay and we will continue to lobby the Government to make the right decision.”
Pc Harper responded to the quad bike call just hours after he had been due to clock off and begin his honeymoon with wife Lissie Harper. After her husband’s death, she campaigned for legal changes to see harsher sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers on duty.
Harper’s Law was among the new measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
The move extends mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics.
However, the measure is not retrospective and henceforth means Pc Harper’s killers cannot have their sentences extended.