The widow of police constable Andrew Harper has said she is “beyond appalled” and “bristling with anger” after learning two of her husband’s killers will be allowed to be released from prison early.
PC Harper, 28, was working for Thames Valley Police when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019. He was caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a winding country road as the three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were jailed for 13 years in 2020 for manslaughter over his killing. But it is understood the pair will be eligible for early release under a new government scheme despite Andy Burnham’s decision to bar some of the most serious sex offenders from qualifying.
His widow, Lissie Harper, slammed the decision as “disgusting” and said it was an “utter betrayal” by the government.
“This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets,” she said in a statement.
“What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a ‘sickening crime’ that deserves the stiffest of punishments. The level of disrespect the government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.”
She added: “The killers of Andrew have shown no remorse… they robbed us of our future. They are vile criminals and they should remain in jail.
“To release them early from their already pitiful sentences is an affront to justice. The government and the justice system have not just let me down… they have added insult to injury. They are meant to be on our side.
“This is an utter betrayal – and it’s one I will not be able to forgive or forget.”
It comes after the prime minister paused plans to release prisoners early in September to ease overcrowding in jails following outcry from the public, including from survivors of sexual violence. The scheme will now be delayed until October.
In an announcement on Monday night, he said rapists and serious child sex offenders, including those convicted of grooming offences, will be blocked from early release.
He added he understood the “anxiety and distress” caused by the scheme and insisted he “wanted to go even further”, but that it is not possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public “at much greater risk”.
However, he assured the public that offenders will face tighter community supervision, including new GPS monitoring for rapists to restrict movements.
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg has said he is “beyond disappointed” that Pc Andrew Harper’s killers would be eligible for early release.
He said: “I am beyond disappointed the Government is continuing to allow Pc Andrew Harper’s killers to be released early from prison despite the overwhelming recent public outcry.
“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. They would not be eligible for early release.
“This decision is demoralising for all police officers and our fellow emergency service workers, not just in the Thames Valley, that put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve their community.
“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.”
Under changes in the Sentencing Act, some 6,000 offenders were set to be let out of prison in September after serving a third of their sentence – rather than half – in a bid to ease prison overcrowding.
Prisoners serving longer sentences of four years or more would be eligible for release at the halfway point of their term, rather than at two-thirds as had previously been the case.
The government has said that, after listening to victims’ concerns, rapists and child sexual offenders will not be eligible for the sentencing changes.
These will be added to the exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.
The government has also announced a new package of victim support, backed by £10m in funding, to provide better trauma-informed contact.
A new national helpline will also be established and efforts made to contact all affected victims to offer information and support.
Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy said the U-turn “doesn’t go far enough”, adding: “Some child sex offenders and killers, like those responsible for the death of Pc Harper, will still be released early. And the trauma of victims being told their abusers may be released can’t be undone.
“One of Andy Burnham’s first acts as prime minister will be to let thousands of criminals – including killers and paedophiles – out early.”
