Man (20) denies ‘horrific’ murder of police officer during burglary

A MAN accused of killing a police officer who was investigating a burglary has denied any involvement in his “horrific murder”.

Jed Foster (20) is charged over the death of 28-year-old newlywed Pc Andrew Harper last Thursday evening in the village of Sulhamstead in Berkshire.

The Thames Valley Police constable died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a vehicle.

Foster appeared at Reading Magistrates Court yesterday charged with his murder and theft of a quad bike from Peter Wallis.

Members of Pc Harper’s family watched from the public gallery as Foster stood in the dock wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.

He stood to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a hearing which lasted around three minutes.

Foster, from Pingewood in Burghfield, near Reading, was not asked to enter pleas to the charges and Distric t Judge Davinder Lachhar remanded him in custody until today, when he will appear at Reading Crown Court.

His lawyer Rob Jacques said: “On behalf of him and his family I want to say three things. He denies any involvement in the horrific murder of Pc Harper.

“We urge the police to fol

Jed Foster leaves court after being charged and (inset) Andrew Harper

low all lines of inquiry and for the public to come forward and co-operate.” Foster was handcuffed before he left the dock, while there was a heavy police presence at court.

Speaking outside court standing next to Foster’s mother Jo, who was clutching a teddy bear, Mr Jacques said: “He denies any involvement in the murder of Pc Harper.

“He and I and the family urge the police to follow every single inquiry to establish who did, who was responsible, so that jus

tice is delivered for Pc Harper.

“It’s an extremely difficult investigation and we urge any members of the public who have information to co-operate with the police, no matter how difficult that is.”

Foster was charged on Monday evening after investigators at Thames Valley Police were given an extra 24 hours to question 10 suspects, with the remaining nine bailed until September 13.

All 10 suspects were arrested within an hour of the incident at a nearby caravan park.