Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik, who led the investigation into the death of PC Andrew Harper, has said he is “deeply concerned and appalled” that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers could be freed halfway through their 13-year sentences under a Government scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding.
The detective who led the investigation into the death of PC Andrew Harper has said he is “appalled” at the prospect that two of the men convicted over his killing could be released early from prison. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both jailed for 13 years over PC Harper’s manslaughter, may qualify for release after serving only half their sentences under Government measures designed to relieve severe overcrowding in prisons. Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik told the BBC that neither man had shown remorse either in police custody or during their trial, and said they should “not be afforded the opportunity” of early release.
What happened to PC Andrew Harper
PC Andrew Harper, 28, a roads policing officer with Thames Valley Police, died on 15 August 2019, just four weeks after marrying his wife, Lissie Harper. He was responding to reports of a stolen quad bike near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when he became entangled in a tow strap attached to the vehicle and was dragged for more than a mile along a country lane, suffering catastrophic injuries.
In 2020, a jury at the Old Bailey cleared Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers of murder but convicted them of manslaughter. Long, who was driving the vehicle, received a 16-year prison sentence and is not eligible for release under the current scheme. Cole and Bowers were each sentenced to 13 years.
Blaik’s reaction
Detective Superintendent Blaik, who led the police investigation into PC Harper’s death, said he was “deeply concerned and appalled” at the possibility of Cole and Bowers being freed early. “Neither of them showed any remorse during their time in police custody or during their subsequent trial,” he said. “I hope the Government takes account of the strength of public feeling on this issue, which has been both clear and widespread.”
The early release scheme
The early release provisions stem from the Sentencing Act, passed earlier this year, which reduced the minimum proportion of a sentence some offenders must serve before becoming eligible for release. Under the Act, certain prisoners serving standard determinate sentences became eligible for release after completing 40% of their sentence, rather than the previous threshold of 50%, as part of efforts to address severe prison overcrowding.
The Government has created exemptions for certain categories of serious offenders under the scheme, but Cole and Bowers are not currently among those excluded, a position that has drawn criticism from PC Harper’s family, senior police figures and politicians. Those released under the scheme remain on licence for the remainder of their sentence and can be recalled to prison immediately if they breach licence conditions or commit further offences. Offenders released early also face tougher probation conditions, including electronic monitoring, random drug testing, and possible bans from driving, pubs and events such as football matches.
The Prime Minister has said he wanted to “go further” with exemptions after ordering a review of the scheme, but concluded that doing so was “not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing.” The Ministry of Justice has maintained that the scheme is necessary to prevent prisons reaching critical capacity, while insisting that offenders released under the policy remain subject to strict supervision in the community.
Police considering legal challenge
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said he was receiving legal advice on whether the force could join a legal challenge, mooted by local Police Federation chief Aileen O’Connor, aimed at preventing Cole and Bowers from being released.
Harper’s Law and the widow’s response
PC Harper’s death prompted his widow, Lissie Harper, to launch a campaign known as Harper’s Law, calling for mandatory life sentences for anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime. The campaign contributed to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which introduced mandatory life sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers in specified circumstances, though judges retain limited discretion in exceptional cases. Because the law does not apply retrospectively, it could not affect the sentences already imposed on PC Harper’s killers.
Responding to the prospect of early release, Lissie Harper said the Government “has punched us in the gut… they should be ashamed of themselves.” She added: “Hopefully we can make the current Government come to their senses and realise we cannot put people like this back on our streets. Justice should mean justice and serving the sentence given.”
