Britain07 August, 20263 min read
Government Plans Early Release Of PC Andrew Harper Killers Albert Bowers And Jessie Cole
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Government exploring options to block early release of Harper’s killers. Prime Minister weighing measures to keep killers incarcerated beyond scheduled release.
6 outlets told this the same way.
Harper death and eligibility
Police constable Andrew Harper, 28, was killed in August 2019 while responding to the theft of a quad bike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, and the case returned to headlines as two of his killers, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, became eligible to be released early under government plans to tackle prison overcrowding.
AOL.co.uk described how Lissie Harper received a knock at the door on the night of 15 August 2019 and was told her husband had been killed while on police duty, quoting her: "Everything I had known in my life to be true was robbed away. Every ounce of beautiful peace, gone,".
The BBC said dashcam footage showed the moment PC Harper confronted teenagers Henry Long, Bowers and Cole down a dark country lane, and it reported that his ankles had got caught in a strap trailing behind the car being driven by Long that had been used to tow a stolen quad bike.
The BBC added that PC Harper was dragged for over a mile and died on the road, and it said the jury convicted Bowers and Cole of manslaughter while Long had already pleaded guilty to that offence.
The Telegraph reported that starting in October the Government plans to release 5,000 criminals early over a period of 10 months to free up places in overcrowded jails, and it said Cole and Bowers were scheduled for early release after serving half of their 13-year sentences.
Outrage and political pressure
As the prospect of early release grew, Thames Valley Police Federation chairwoman Aileen O’Connor said the public had "spoken loudly and clearly" in support of a petition to stop the killers being released early, and she urged people to keep signing. The Independent reported that on Friday afternoon the petition had more than 675,000 signatures, and it quoted Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik telling the BBC that he was "deeply concerned and appalled" and that Cole and Bowers should "not be afforded the opportunity". The Government has resisted pressure to exempt the two men, and Rayo reported that a Government source told the Telegraph that Andy Burnham was prepared to "explore every option" to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers in jail.
The Independent also quoted PC Harper’s widow Lissie Harper saying the Government "has punched us in the gut… they should be ashamed of themselves," while Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC it was "not OK" that the killers of Pc Harper were eligible for early release. GOV.UK quoted Chief Constable Simon Chesterman saying he felt compelled to express his horror at a situation where those who played a key role in PC Harper’s death on-duty could benefit from an early release from prison.
What changes next
The Telegraph said officials originally believed a targeted exemption for the two men would be unlawful but were now exploring a specific carve-out, with no final decision made as Burnham considered blocking their early release. Rayo reported that Downing Street had been contacted for comment about Burnham weighing up options, and it said the early release scheme starts in October as part of a bid to tackle prison overcrowding. The Independent said those released will face tougher probation conditions, including electronic monitoring, random drug testing and possible bans from driving, pubs and events such as football matches, and it reported that Henry Long received a 16-year sentence and would not be eligible for release under the scheme.
GOV.UK added that three teenagers involved in the incident were later sentenced to a combined total of 42 years in prison, and it said two of those convicted—Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers—received 13-year sentences and could potentially become eligible for release after serving half of their custodial terms. BBC coverage tied the wider policy debate to the Harper family’s campaign, noting that Harper's Law was introduced so anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime would face a mandatory life sentence, and it said Layla Moran described the case as resonating because people felt like they were "reliving the grief with the family".