Widow of Pc Harper says it is ‘deplorable’ that two killers could be freed early
Lissie Harper says politicians are undermining justice after learning two of the men convicted of her husband's manslaughter could be eligible for early release
Last updated 19 hours ago
The widow of police officer Andrew Harper has said it is “deplorable” that two of his killers are being considered for early release.
Lissie Harper said that politicians are “making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences” for the families of victims.
Pc Harper was 28 years old when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
The driver of the vehicle which caused Pc Harper’s death, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence, and will not be eligible for the scheme.
But the Constable’s mother said she had been told that early release could be on the cards for Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020.
Lissie Harper said in a statement: “It has taken me years to rebuild a life that was torn apart in a matter of moments. Years to pick up the pieces left behind by three men whose actions robbed Andrew of his life and stole our future.
“Now – once again – politicians are making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences for victims’ families like mine.
“It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable. We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite.
“They tell victims their suffering matters less, and offenders that the punishment handed down by our courts is no longer what they will actually serve.”
Chief Constable Jason Hogg has expressed his concern following reports that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper in 2020, may be eligible for early release under changes introduced through the Sentencing Act.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “The tragedy of Andrew Harper's death has had a lasting impact, both within Thames Valley Police and across policing and our communities nationally. It is a real and constant reminder of the dedication of officers and staff who respond without hesitation to protect their communities.
"Under the law that bears Andrew's name, if his killers were convicted today, they would be receiving life sentences. For this reason, for them to be released early under the new Sentencing Act legislation feels wrong. I have written to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and the Justice Secretary to make my opinion on this clear."