Sentences of Pc Andrew Harper killers referred to Court of Appeal after leniency claims

The sentences of three teenagers who killed PC Andrew Harper have been referred to the Court of Appeal to consider if they were unduly lenient.

The Attorney General, Suella Braverman QC, announced today she has asked top judges to consider if 19-year-old Henry Long and 18-year-olds Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole should face longer prison terms.

PC Harper, a newlywed Berkshire Police officer, died in August last year when his feet became entangled in a tow rope as he responded to reports of a burglary.

Long was at the wheel of the car which dragged the police officer for more than a mile along a country lane, while Bowers and Cole were both passengers in the vehicle.

Long admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to 16 years in prison last month, while Bowers and Cole received 13 year jail terms after they were both convicted at trial of manslaughter. All three were cleared by the jury of murder.

In her announcement this morning, Ms Braverman said she had personally reviewed the case before making a referral to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

“This was a horrific crime which resulted in the death of a much-respected police officer while he was on-duty, protecting his community”, she said.

“Having personally considered the details of this shocking case, I have decided to refer the sentences of PC Andrew Harper’s killers to the Court of Appeal.

“Attacks made against emergency workers will not be tolerated and offenders should be punished with the greatest severity for such heinous crimes.”

Pc Harper’s mother Debbie Adlam said: “I’m pleased to see that the Attorney General Suella Braverman has taken the important step of referring the sentences to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

“My family and I know that the whole nation stands with us in outrage at the sentences handed down to my son’s killers.

“We can only hope that a fairer outcome is reached by the Court of Appeal to deliver the justice that Andrew deserves.

“As a family we will not stop campaigning until our blue light heroes are safer as they step out each and every day to protect us as a society.”

The news comes after PC Harper’s wife Lissie launched a campaign for all offenders who kill emergency workers in the line of duty to face mandatory life sentences.

The 29-year-old is fighting for “Harper’s Law”, and said this week she has been heartened by the support she has received including from the Police Federation of England and Wales.

“Our justice system is broken and we need Harper’s Law to help fix it,” she said.

“I have witnessed first-hand the lenient and insufficient way in which the justice system deals with criminals who take the lives of our emergency workers.

“Sadly nothing I do will bring Andrew back — but I know he would be proud of me for seeking to bring about a law change, which will hopefully act as a deterrent to anyone considering doing to one of his fellow emergency service workers the terrible thing that happened to him.”

This week, news also broke that Bowers and Cole have launched appeals against their manslaughter convictions.

Hearing dates have not yet been set for any of the appeals.