Utter Be-tra-yal: Widow of Hero PC Harper Speaks Out as Husband’s K-i-llers Set for Early Release
FURY erupted as it emerged two killers of hero PC Andrew Harper WILL still get early release.
Soft-justice plans to free Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole halfway through 13-year jail terms were paused last month.
PC Andrew Harper’s widow says she is ‘disgusted’ his killers are going to be freedCredit: PA
PC Andrew Harper was just 28 years old when he was killedCredit: Refer to Caption
But following a review, there will be no change to manslaughter cases, which means the two thugs could be out in months.
Furious widow Lissie Harper, 35, said: “This is disgusting.
“I’m beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear Andrew’s killers are soon to be free.
“The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims, and their loved ones such as me, is beyond contempt.”
“What abhorrent message does this send?
“How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer isn’t enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments.
“Andrew’s killers have shown no remorse.
“To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice.
Albert Bowers, who was jailed for manslaughter, is set to get early releaseCredit: PA
Jessie Cole, also jailed for manslaughter, will get early release tooCredit: PA
“The Government and justice system have not just let me down, they have added insult to injury.
“This is an utter betrayal, one I will not be able to forgive or forget.”
In 2019 PC Harper, 28, was fatally dragged by a car driven by Henry Long, 18, as it towed a stolen quad bike.
Long, Bowers and Cole, then 17, were found guilty of manslaughter. The younger pair got 13 years’ jail, Long got 16 and will stay in prison.
Mr Burnham, who is taking a holiday after two weeks in No 10, launched an urgent review of Sir Keir’s plan which aimed to ease pressure on packed jails.
Early releases will begin in October.
Mr Burnham said: “I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened.
“But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.”
Furious Lissie says she is ‘bristling with anger to hear Andrew’s killers are soon to be free’Credit: PA
Lissie and Andrew on their wedding dayCredit: PA
Tiff Lynch, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, branded the pairs release as “deeply disappointing” and “impossible to justify”.
“The Government has recognised that some offenders are simply too dangerous to benefit from early release, yet those convicted of killing police officers have been left off that list”, she said.
“We recently spoke out against the early release of the men responsible for PC Andrew Harper’s death, and officers, their families and the public will be asking why those who murder police officers can still qualify for reduced time behind bars.”
Freeing the two prisoners early “gravely risks undermining not only public safety but public confidence”, Lynch added.
She urged the government to “rethink” the decision in the face of “real distress” it will cause to bereaved families.
The decision has also come under fire from Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg’s, who described the decision as “demoralising” for emergency service workers.
“It is simple: if Andrew’s killers were convicted today, they would receive life sentences due to the law that was created in his name”, he said.
“We stand with Andrew’s family, the Police Federation, our Police and Crime Commissioner in our dismay and we will continue to lobby the Government to make the right decision.”
There will be an extra 14,000 new prison places by 2031 with the fastest prison building programme since the Victorian era.
Beefed-up community monitoring will help probation staff track movements and see random drug testing for 1,000 offenders every month.
The number of regions using chemical suppression to manage sexual offending will be doubled.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the PM’s move, which adds to the 70,000 who have been released early under various Labour schemes.
She said: “Andy Burnham wants a round of applause for agreeing not to release rapists and child sex offenders.
“He’s not getting one. This is only a partial climbdown.
“Killers, violent offenders, men who have terrorised their partners and more will all still walk out of prison in October.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy added: “Burnham must go further and block the early release of killers too.”
