Andy Burnham is reportedly “exploring every option” to prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers. The Thames Valley Police officer was killed in 2019 while responding to the theft of a quad bike. During the confrontation, his ankle was caught in a heavy-duty strap on the bike and he was dragged more than a mile along a country road as the three teenagers attempted to flee.
Sentences and Eligibility
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 17 at the time and passengers, were given 13 years in prison for manslaughter. Henry Long, 18 and the driver, was given a 16-year sentence for manslaughter. About 5,000 people are set to be released from prison as part of an emergency scheme to free up space and tackle overcrowding in UK prisons. The Government has been under pressure to exempt Cole and Bowers from the scheme, with both currently eligible. Henry Long is not eligible for early release.
Government Response
A Government source told The Telegraph that the PM is prepared to “explore every option” to keep the killer in jail. It is understood he is taking advice from Ministry of Justice officials, including the possibility of excluding manslaughter from the eligible charges under the scheme.
Burnham said earlier this week he had "pushed to the very limits of what is possible to do without risking the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing" by excluding sentences for "rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences" from eligibility.
Family and Police Reaction
Pc Harper's wife, Lissie Harper, has voiced her fury at the prospect of their early release, branding it "an affront to justice" and "an utter betrayal". His mother, Debbie Adlam, described the family as "bitterly disappointed" by the decision, telling the BBC: "Andrew deserves better than this, and so do we."
Chief Constable Jason Hogg of Thames Valley Police 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.”
