THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner has urged for government action after it was revealed that the killers of PC Andrew Harper could be facing early release from jail.
Andrew Harper, an officer with Thames Valley Police, was killed near Sulhamstead in 2019 after being dragged behind a car for around a mile while responding to an incident of vehicle theft.
In 2020, three people were convicted of manslaughter, receiving 16 and 13 years imprisonment, but were ultimately acquitted of murder.
In the wake of the incident, Harper’s Law was passed, which encated a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for anyone convicted of killing emergency workers, following campaigning by PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper.
However, in an interview with The Telegraph this week, Andrew’s mother explained that she had been informed by the Ministry of Justice that two of those convicted of his killing could be eligible for early release.
The MoJ said that as a result of the prison crisis, which came to a head in 2024, judges were “ordered to stop” jailing dangerous criminals.
It argues that, as well as building prisons, it is also taking “difficult decisions” to free existing capacity to meet demand.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both passengers in the car behind which PC Harper was dragged, were sentenced to 13 years in prison each–but could serve less than half of that.
It comes as a result of new sentencing laws tipped to come into force in September, which set out plans for a prison release scheme that could affect as many as 6,000 prisoners in an effort to tackle overcrowding.
While Cole and Bowers are eligible for this, Henry Long, who was sentenced to 16 years, as he was driving the car in question, will not be.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, has criticised consequences of the new Sentencing Act, calling it “apalling.
“The public and police officers alike will join Andrew’s family in their outrage that two of the men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper are set to be released early.”
“The prospect that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole could be released early will be deeply upsetting for Andrew’s loved ones and will raise serious questions about public confidence in our justice system.
“This appalling case highlights the broader problems with the Sentencing Act 2026. Blanket early release measures for large sections of the prison population mean that many criminals will simply never face proper punishment. This risks undermining the faith in the criminal justice system.
“The Government must act. I urge the Prime Minister to seize this opportunity for emergency legislation to ensure justice for Andrew and to reduce the worst effects of the Sentencing Act on the rest of the criminal justice system.
“The prospect of Andrew Harper’s killers being released early is deeply troubling. The public rightly expect serious offenders to serve sentences that reflect the gravity of their crimes.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has clarified that the driver of the vehicle which caused the death of PC Harper would not be eligible for the early release scheme.
He also explained that he “feel[s] for the family [of PC Harper,” but has not commented on whether the early releases would be curtailed.
