Andy Burnham Confirms PC Harper's Killers Barred From Early Release Scheme

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a significant alteration to the Sentencing Act, confirming that individuals convicted of manslaughter will be excluded from the early release scheme. This change directly impacts the three men imprisoned for the death of PC Andrew Harper, ensuring they will serve their full custodial sentences.

Sentencing Act Amendments

The revised policy stipulates that serious offenders, specifically those found guilty of manslaughter, will no longer be granted the possibility of early release. This move follows considerable public and political debate regarding the appropriateness of such provisions for those convicted of grave crimes. The Prime Minister's office indicated that the amendments reflect a commitment to ensuring justice for victims and their families, particularly in cases involving the deaths of emergency service personnel.

The announcement clarifies the fate of Henry Long, Jessie Cole, and Albert Bowers, who were convicted of manslaughter in connection with PC Harper's death in Berkshire in 2019. Long received a 16-year sentence, while Cole and Bowers were each given 13-year terms. Under the previous framework, there was a potential for their release before serving their full sentences. This is now definitively ruled out, ensuring their continued incarceration for the entirety of their imposed terms.