Jessie Cole, one of the men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper, has reportedly been classified as "violent" and a "risk to staff" while being held in a high-security prison, despite being earmarked for possible early release. Cole, who was 17 when PC Harper was killed, is serving a sentence for manslaughter following the death of the Thames Valley Police officer in August 2019. Now 24, Cole is being held at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, one of the UK's high-security prisons.
Prison records and classification
Prison records reportedly list him as "violent", a "risk to staff", and a "climber", according to The Sun. The classification has emerged as the Government faces growing pressure over plans that could allow Cole and fellow killer Albert Bowers to leave prison earlier than originally expected.
The pair were sentenced in 2020 after being convicted of manslaughter over the death of PC Harper, who was 28 when he was dragged behind a car while responding to reports of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. Cole and Bowers were passengers in a car driven by Henry Long, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison and is not eligible for early release under the same arrangements.
Early release plans spark anger
Cole and Bowers could have been released in January after serving half of their sentences rather than two-thirds, sparking widespread anger. More than one million people have signed a petition calling for the pair to remain behind bars.
A source told The Sun that Cole remains in the high-security prison because of concerns about the risk he could pose if moved to a lower-security jail. "Jessie should never have been considered for early release because of his crime," the source said. "But his behaviour and danger risk also show exactly why Jessie is not ready to be freed." The source added: "He is a difficult and dangerous prisoner and a lot of inmates and staff are terrified of him."
Government response and background
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is under pressure to prevent the early release of Cole and Bowers. The Government has said it does not believe the two men should be released before the date they were originally expected to leave prison. A Government spokesperson said: "We do not believe these offenders should be let out a day before they were due to, and the PM has asked the Justice Secretary to urgently fast-track a plan to keep a greater number of the most serious offenders, including these individuals, locked up."
PC Harper was killed while responding to a suspected quad bike theft in Berkshire on August 15, 2019. The newlywed officer was dragged for more than a mile behind the vehicle after becoming entangled in a tow rope. His death shocked the country and led to renewed calls for tougher sentences for criminals who kill emergency service workers. Cole and Bowers were originally convicted of murder alongside Long, but their convictions were later reduced to manslaughter following a Court of Appeal ruling.
