Life in prison for killing emergency workers under Harper’s Law
KILLERS of emergency workers will face a mandatory life sentence after Harper’s Law got the go-ahead.
The new legislation – named after Pc Andrew Harper – who was dragged to his death behind a car in August 2019, will apply to those who kill police, paramedics, firefighters and prison guards.
It will mean tougher sentences for those who kill emergency workers while committing a crime, even if it was not intentional.
The new law is a victory for Pc Harper’s widow, Lissie, who has campaigned tirelessly for tougher sentencing. The couple had only been married for a matter of weeks when Pc Harper was killed responding to reports of a burglary in a remote part of Berkshire.
Mrs Harper said: “It’s been a long journey and a lot of hard work. I know Andrew would be proud to see Harper’s Law reach this important milestone.”
She added: “Emergency services workers require extra protection. I know all too well how they are put at risk and into the depths of danger on a regular basis on behalf of society. That protection is what Harper’s Law will provide and I am delighted that it will soon become a reality.”
Pc Harper’s killers, Henry Long, 19, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were convicted of manlsaughter, but acquitted of murder despite dragging the officer more than a mile behind their getaway car as they fled after an attempted quad bike theft.
The 28-year-old officer, who had been chasing the teenagers, became tangled in a tow rope behind their car and suffered catastrophic fatal injuries.
Long was sentenced to 16 years while Cole and Bowers were given 13 years each in a case that the trial judge described “as close to murder as you could get”.
An appeal by the Attorney General against the “unduly lenient” sentences was subsequently dismissed by the Court of Appeal and Mrs Harper launched her campaign to change the law on sentencing around those who kill emergency workers.
Under Harper’s Law, Long, Cole and Bowers would have received a mandatory life sentence on conviction of manslaughter and would have had to appear before a parole board before becoming eligible for release.
The change in the law has now been backed by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, and Dominic Raab, the new Justice Secretary. Mr Raab paid tribute to Ms Harper’s “remarkable” campaign. “This government is on the side of victims and their families and we want our emergency services to know that we’ll always have their back,” he said.
Ms Patel said it was “right that future killers be stripped of the freedom to walk our streets with a life sentence”.
“Pc Andrew Harper’s killing was shocking. As well as a committed police officer, he was a husband and a son. It is with thanks to the dedication of Lissie and his family that I am proud to be able to honour Andrew’s life by introducing Harper’s Law,” she said.
Ministry of Justice (MOJ) sources said there would be scope for judicial discretion in “exceptional” circumstances where, for example, the original crime that led to the death of an emergency worker might not justify a life sentence.
A drunken or careless driver who killed a police officer could face prosecution for the new offence but an MOJ source said: “There is judicial discretion in there. It would be wrong to say they would absolutely get a life sentence.
“The judge would look at the case. If it was careless driving and it was low culpability, the judge might think a mandatory life sentence too harsh.” The offence could be introduced as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and be on the statute book early next year. Murdering a police officer will still carry a whole-life order.