Widow’s anger as Harper killers get no extra jail time
PC ANDREW HARPER’S widow has said she is ‘disappointed’ after the Court of Appeal refused to increase the sentences of her husband’s killers.
Lissie Harper added she felt ‘let down by our justice system’ and its ‘inadequate’ laws following the ruling.
Henry Long, 19, was sentenced in July to 16 years in jail and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers to 13 years for the manslaughter of the Thames Valley Police traffic officer in 2019.
Attorney general Suella Braverman said their offence was ‘as serious a case of manslaughter as it is possible to envisage’ but appeal judges yesterday rejected her application to increase the jail terms. They also denied the trio’s attempts to have their sentences cut.
In a statement, Mrs Harper, 29, said: ‘I am of course disappointed with this outcome. I feel along with the attorney general and the majority of our country that these sentences are far too lenient.’
She added: ‘My husband was killed in a barbaric way that has seen the nation shocked. This single act has rocked the lives of so many people who both loved Andrew and those who have watched the heartbreaking story of his death.
‘To take someone’s life surely should mean to have your own freedom taken
in return. Yet these criminals will see the light of day far, far earlier than they ever deserve to.
‘I know now more than ever the importance and requirement for Harper’s Law, which would see those who kill our emergency services’ heroes receive a life jail sentence.’
A spokesman for Ms Braverman said: ‘The attorney general challenged the sentences given to PC Harper’s killers as she considered them to be too low, but she respects the decision of the Court of Appeal.
‘Her thoughts remain with PC Harper’s family for their unimaginable loss.’
The officer, 28, was dragged to his death by a car as the trio fled the scene of a theft in Berkshire. Long admitted manslaughter, while Cole and Bowers were convicted of the charge. They were cleared of murder at the Old Bailey.