PC Andrew Harper Killers Eligible for Early Release After Four Years

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 21, were sentenced to 13 years in prison in July 2020 for the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper. Following a recent Parole Board review, they are now eligible to apply for early release after serving four years of their sentences.

PC Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, died in August 2019 after being dragged for over a mile behind a car driven by the teenagers as he attempted to stop them stealing a quad bike. His death, occurring barely a month after his marriage, ignited a significant public and political debate concerning justice for emergency service workers.

The Attorney General at the time, Suella Braverman, had sought to increase their sentences, arguing they were unduly lenient. However, the Court of Appeal upheld the original sentences, asserting they were not “unduly lenient” for manslaughter.

This eligibility for release has reignited the contentious debate surrounding the sentencing framework for crimes against emergency service personnel. Critics point to the perceived leniency of the justice system, particularly given the circumstances of PC Harper's death and the profound impact on his family and the wider policing community. The current legal provisions allow for early release considerations after a specific portion of a sentence has been served, a mechanism often viewed with cynicism by those advocating for more punitive measures.