‘Cop killer’ winks at his family from dock
Brought to court, man, 20, accused of murdering hero PC
THE alleged killer of PC Andrew Harper winked at his family from the dock during his first appearance in court yesterday.
Jed Foster, 20, is accused of murdering newlywed PC Harper in a collision near Sulhamstead in Berkshire, after allegedly stealing a quad bike from a nearby home, a court heard.
His lawyer told the court Foster denied any involvement in the ‘horrific murder’.
The suspect later winked to his family as he was escorted from the dock.
PC Harper, a 28-year-old traffic officer, is thought to have been dragged under a vehicle in Thursday’s tragedy that shocked the nation. He and his colleagues were responding to reports of a burglary.
Amid tight security, the hero officer’s grieving mother, Deborah Adlam, came face to face with the alleged killer at the first court hearing since charges were brought on Monday night.
Foster, from Burghfield, near Reading, was charged with PC Harper’s murder and the theft of a quad bike and appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning. Wearing a prison-issue tracksuit, he was handcuffed as he entered the packed court.
The defendant’s mother, Jolene Hannington, was joined by numerous relatives and friends. She clutched a large teddy dressed in a Superman outfit as she gazed at her son. Foster’s voice cracked twice as he confirmed his name, age and address. The two charges – of murder and theft of a quad bike – were read out but no pleas were taken.
He was joined at the side of the packed courtroom by an ‘appropriate adult’, which can be allotted if a suspect is deemed ‘mentally vulnerable’.
‘On behalf of him and his family, I want to say three things,’ defence lawyer Rob Jacques said.
‘He denies any involvement in the horrific murder of PC Harper. He urges the police to follow all lines of enquiry, and for the public to come forward and co-operate.’ District Judge Davinder Lachhar replied: ‘No doubt enquiries are still ongoing. Whatever he wants to say about the offences themselves, he will have the opportunity at Crown Court.’
After the three-minute hearing, Foster winked towards his family as he was led away, before another court hearing set for today.
Outside court, Mr Jacques stood with Foster’s mother and said: ‘He emphatically denies any responsibility or involvement in the horrific murder of PC Andrew Harper.’
Miss Hannington had earlier defended her son on Facebook, saying: ‘We know you would never be capable of such a horrible horrific act.’
Foster was charged on Monday evening after investigators at Thames Valley Police were granted an extra 24 hours to question ten suspects, with the remaining nine bailed until September 13.
All ten were arrested at a nearby caravan park within an hour of the incident. The youngest was just 13, while the oldest was 30.
On Monday night, PC Harper’s widow, Lissie, paid tribute to her husband, describing him as ‘the kindest, loveliest, most selfless’ person’. She added: ‘There is not enough paper in the world to even begin to write a tribute for you, but no one deserves it more.’
Yesterday, dozens of well-wishers continued to lay flowers at the crash site. Donations also continue to pour in to support PC Harper’s bereaved family.
The Just Giving fundraising page set up by the Thames Valley Police Federation to support the officer’s family broke the £230,000 mark last night.
The page reads: ‘We know there is a risk when we put on the uniform but we do so as we are proud to protect the public. Sadly, on very rare and horrendous occasions, a colleague makes the ultimate sacrifice. We will ensure that heroism is never forgotten.’
‘He denies any involvement’