Fury as ‘smirking lowlifes’ who killed brave PC Andrew Harper set for early release from prison, as victim’s mum describes Labour move as ‘insult’ to his memory

The family of PC Andrew Harper have furiously condemned Labour’s soft justice program after it was announced his two murderers would be released early from prison.

Albert Bowes and Jessie Cole, who were sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2020 for the manslaughter of Harper, will be released after serving only half their sentences under the Government’s early release scheme.

The pair, both 17 at the time and dubbed “grinning tramps” by the police union, were passengers in the car that dragged PC Harper across the road after his ankles were caught in the tow rope as he bravely tried to stop them stealing a quad bike.

The 28-year-old police officer was due to take a holiday and embark on his honeymoon following his recent marriage to wife Lissie, but was determined to intervene after the call came in near Sulhamstead in Berkshire in the early hours of August 15, 2019.

The thieves tried to escape in a car driven by the third murderer, Henry Long, but they ambushed PC Harper, speeding him down the winding country road.

PC Harper’s injuries were so serious that those arriving at the scene initially thought they had encountered the carcass of a deer.

Two of the killers, who showed little remorse, are now expected to be released as part of Labor’s efforts to ease chronic overcrowding in prisons; This decision was met with outrage from PC Harper’s family, the police community and politicians.

PC Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, said the update from the Ministry of Justice was ‘an insult beyond words’.

Jessie Cole (left) and Albert Bowers (right) were sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter but can be released after serving half their sentences.

PC Harper and his wife Lissie were married just a month before he was killed in July 2019.

‘This makes me sick,’ he told the Telegraph.

‘Andrew’s life will not come back. It feels like a slap in the face and an insult.

‘In this country, people get a free pass for crime. I like to be proud of my country, but this is not something to be proud of. There are so many things going wrong.’

Thames Valley Police Federation president Aileen O’Connor, who represents colleagues from PC Harper’s force, said: ‘PC Andrew Harper’s killers should be kept where they belong… behind bars.

‘The police in the Thames Valley – and indeed the country – will be disgusted at the prospect of these grinning tramps roaming the streets freely.

‘These murderers have never shown remorse for the horrific and deadly actions they committed that night.

‘Andrew’s wife Lissie and his entire family are serving a life sentence. At least we can expect his murderers to serve their full sentence. No matter how poor he is.

‘We will discuss this issue with the Minister of Security, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the new Prime Minister. We won’t stop. Andrew deserves nothing less.

Lissie’s campaign led to the passage of Harper’s legislation, which introduced mandatory life sentences for anyone who kills an emergency worker while committing a crime.

‘What message does this send about the value of a police officer’s life? The government and the parole board must reconsider plans to release Andrew’s killers early.

‘And they need to do it now – no ifs, no buts.’

The Conservatives’ shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, called on Labor to ‘stop the release of despicable criminals like these murderers’.

He said: ‘Labour has said it will not reduce sentences for the most heinous crimes.

‘It would be an absolute disgrace if PC Andrew Harper’s murderers were released from prison early.’

And TV star Penny Lancaster, a volunteer police officer married to rocker Rod Stewart, posted on her Instagram: ‘Keep PC Andrew Harper’s killers locked up.’

Bowes and Cole are among thousands of offenders who will benefit from the Workers’ Penalty Act, part of a long-term plan to reduce the prison population.

From September, violent and sex offenders will be allowed to be released after serving only half their sentences instead of two-thirds.

Holding a photo of her late son, Deborah Adlam said the possibility of her son’s killers having their sentences commuted was “an insult beyond words”.

Special constable Penny Lancaster, who is married to Rod Stewart, also backed calls for murderers to remain in prison.

Other criminals may be released after serving only one-third of the sentence imposed by the court, provided they demonstrate good behavior while in prison.

The murderers will not be considered because they face mandatory life sentences and must serve a minimum number of years.

Long is not eligible for early release under the program, but will be able to apply for parole after half of his sentence.

The sentences handed down to Harper’s killers sparked a national outcry for being too lenient at the time – and the reduction will now spark fresh demands for Andy Burnham’s new government to rethink its early release plan.

The campaign launched after the sentencing led to the passage of the ‘Harper Law’, which introduced life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of killing emergency workers while committing a crime.

The civil servant’s widow, Mrs Harper, led the effort to change the law and was supported by the Labor Party at the time. He received an MBE for his work.

Ellie Reeves, now Attorney-General, told MPs in 2022: ‘It is right that emergency service workers who put themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe are protected by the strongest shield the criminal justice system can provide.’

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘This was a horrific crime and our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of PC Andrew Harper.

‘In 2024, the country was facing a prison crisis and law and order was completely breaking down, with judges ordered to stop imprisoning dangerous criminals.

‘This government is committed to public safety: we are building prisons at the fastest pace since the Victorian era and taking the tough decisions needed to lock up the most dangerous criminals.’

This week senior officials said the early release plan would ‘pose a challenge for the entire police force’ as local forces have to deal with the possibility of re-offending and reassuring victims.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst, leader of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Regional Organized Crime Units, said: ‘This is a potentially significant demand for policing across England and Wales and who is weak on this is the police.

‘So we will do our best to work as a system to keep our community safe.

‘But that’s another question about policing because another part of the system is not geared to meet the demand it needs.’

He added: ‘This is a challenge and it needs to be accepted.’

Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, the NPCC’s head of serious and organized crime, said any early release plans had a ‘quite significant’ impact on local forces.

He said: ‘I don’t know what the impact will be because you know it’s difficult.

‘But we’re leaning in to make sure we can assess these individuals for risk as best we can.’

Cabinet minister Heidi Alexander said the crime was ‘appalling’ but argued the early release scheme was necessary because the justice system is on the verge of collapse when Labor comes to power in 2024.

He told BBC Breakfast: ‘We were in a place in the summer of 2024 where the criminal justice system was on the verge of collapse.

‘If we had no space left in prisons, the courts would not be able to impose sentences and the police would not be able to make arrests.

‘And no responsible government would allow us to be in this situation.’