PC Harper killers Bowers and Cole barred from early prison release

Thames Valley Police leaders have welcomed the government's decision to exclude PC Andrew Harper's killers from an early release scheme. Over one million people signed a petition opposing their release.

Thames Valley Police welcomes ruling that bars PC Harper's killers from early release

Two of the men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper will not be eligible for early release from prison, Google News IE — Crime (en) reports, following a government decision that has been welcomed by senior officers in Thames Valley Police (TVP).

Harper, a TVP officer from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, died in August 2019 after being dragged by a car as three teenagers — among them Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole — fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Berkshire. His death prompted widespread public outrage that resurfaced when it emerged the pair could be freed early under a plan to ease prison overcrowding.

More than one million people signed a petition opposing their release. The petition was started by Aileen O'Connor, the TVP's Federation chair, who said she was "grateful" for the new certainty over Bowers and Cole's sentences.

At the weekend, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that anyone convicted of unlawful killing — including all forms of manslaughter — would be excluded from the government's early release scheme. The decision means hundreds of inmates will serve longer terms, placing additional pressure on a prison estate where 97% of cells in England and Wales are currently in use.

O'Connor said the possibility of early release should never have arisen in the first place.

"It was a long time coming and actually it should have been sorted weeks ago quite frankly," she said. "Andrew went to work that day and never returned home and he was killed for swearing an oath to serve the public of the Thames Valley."

She added that police officers across the country regularly risk their lives and that more must be done to protect them. "Sometimes unfortunately they lose their lives in the line of duty and more has to be done to protect the protectors," O'Connor said.

TVP Chief Constable Jason Hogg said on Monday that Andrew Harper's death had left a lasting mark on colleagues and communities alike.

"Andrew's death had a profound impact on those who knew him and the communities he served but also the men and women who serve in policing," Hogg said. "I'm very grateful that the concerns we raised were listened to and have been properly considered by the government."

Hogg added that the public would expect those who commit serious crimes to serve substantial custodial sentences "so justice can be seen to be done."

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)