The mother of PC Andrew Harper has said she feels 'insulted' after it was confirmed that two of his killers may be eligible for early release from prison under a new sentencing scheme.
Details of the crime
PC Harper, 28, died in August 2019 while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. He became trapped in a strap attached to a car and was dragged down a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of a burglary.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, passengers in the car and both 17 at the time, were sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter in 2020. The driver, Henry Long, received 16 years and is not eligible for early release.
Early release scheme
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed that Cole and Bowers may be released halfway through their sentences under the new Sentencing Act, which comes into force in September. The scheme is expected to release around 6,000 criminals, and the government has not ruled out whether killers, rapists and paedophiles will be exempt.
PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, told The Telegraph she received a letter from the MoJ notifying her of the possible reduction. She said: 'It makes me feel sick. Andrew’s life doesn’t get to come back. It feels like a slap in the face and an insult.' She added that 'people are getting a free pass for crime' in the UK.
Police reaction
The Police Federation for England and Wales called the development 'disgusting'. Deputy national chair Brian Booth said: 'Police officers from across the country stood side by side to honour Andrew Harper at his funeral. They and every serving officer will be utterly sickened at the prospect of Bowers and Cole being back on the streets so soon.'
Government response
An MoJ spokesperson said: 'This was a horrific crime, and our deepest sympathies are with PC Andrew Harper’s family and friends. In 2024, the country was facing a prison crisis and a total breakdown of law and order, with judges ordered to stop jailing dangerous criminals. This government is committed to public safety: we are building prison places at the fastest rate since the Victorian era, and taking the difficult decisions needed to lock up the most dangerous offenders.'
The government has insisted the act will not apply to offenders deemed 'the most dangerous', including those on extended determinate or life sentences.
Harper's Law
PC Harper was due to begin his honeymoon with wife Lissie Harper when he was killed. She campaigned for legal changes, resulting in Harper's Law, which extends mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty. However, the measure is not retrospective, so it does not affect PC Harper's killers.
New Justice Secretary Alex Norris has been urged to reconsider the early release scheme after being appointed on Monday. Asked about reports that the Prime Minister could exempt rapists and child groomers from the scheme, a spokesman said: 'The Government’s fully focused on keeping the public safe. We’ve got no option but to take decisive action to fix the crisis in our prisons. I’m not going to get into speculation over possible policy changes.'
