Two men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper may be released from prison early under a government scheme to ease overcrowding, sparking outrage from his family and police officials.
The potential early release of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole—convicted in 2020 for the 2019 manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper—has ignited fierce backlash from his family and law enforcement. The pair, who received 13-year sentences for dragging the 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer to his death during a quad bike theft, could now serve just 40 per cent of their terms under a government scheme addressing prison overcrowding, according to The Telegraph. The three teenage suspects included Henry Long, 19, who received a 16-year sentence, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were given 13-year sentences. PC Harper, 28, died after being caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a winding country road as the three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.
A Family’s Anger Over ‘Insult’ to a Police Officer’s Death
Debbie Adlam, PC Harper’s mother, called the potential release an insult beyond anything able to be put into words,
telling The Telegraph that Andrew’s life doesn’t get to come back.
The government’s early release scheme is meant to tackle prison overcrowding as the government has predicted the incarcerated population could increase to between 98,000 and 103,600 by March 2030, with a central estimate of 100,600.
PC Harper’s wife, Lissie, was made an MBE in 2022 for her advocacy following the case, including campaigns for “Harper’s Law,” which extended mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty. A memorial stone was unveiled in Reading dedicated to PC Harper in April. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: This was a horrific crime, and our deepest sympathies are with PC Andrew Harper’s family and friends.
Police Federation Demands ‘No Compromise’ on Justice
Aileen O’Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, condemned the prospect of the killers’ early release, stating, The killers of PC Andrew Harper should be kept where they belong… behind bars.
O’Connor emphasized that the family deserves “nothing less” than the full sentence, calling the government’s plans a slap in the face
to justice. “The killers have never shown any remorse for their horrific and deadly actions that night,” she said. “Andrew’s wife Lissie and his whole family are serving a life sentence. The least we can expect is that his killers serve their whole sentence. However poor it already is.”
O’Connor said police across Thames Valley—and indeed the country—will be disgusted at the prospect of these smirking lowlifes being free to roam the streets. She added that they will be communicating with the Police Minister, the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister. We will not stop. Andrew deserves nothing less,
O’Connor said.
Justice Secretary Faces Pressure Over Early Release Policy
The Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, faced pressure to reconsider the scheme after his appointment on Monday. A spokesman for Norris said, The government’s fully focused on keeping the public safe.
The spokesman added, “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.”
Prison Overcrowding Crisis Fuels Controversial Policy Shift
The early release plan is part of a broader effort to address a prison crisis exacerbated by a projected surge in incarcerated individuals. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated, 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 40 per cent reduction applies to some prisoners,
though the exact criteria remain unclear.
