PC Harper Widow Battles Release of Husband’s Killers

Published: 6 August 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

The widow of murdered police officer PC Andrew Harper has vowed to continue fighting against the early release of the men convicted over his death, saying she “will not give up” in her campaign for justice.

Lissie Harper has called on the public to support a petition demanding that her husband’s killers remain behind bars for the full length of their sentences. The petition, launched by the Thames Valley Police Federation, has already attracted more than 510,000 signatures.

PC Harper died in August 2019 while responding to reports of a stolen quad bike near Sulhamstead, Berkshire. The 28-year-old officer was dragged behind a vehicle as three teenagers attempted to escape from the scene. He suffered fatal injuries during the incident.

Two of the men convicted over his death, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, could become eligible for release next year under updated government plans designed to reduce pressure on the prison system.

The pair were each sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter in 2020. Under current rules, they can apply for release after serving half of their sentence.

The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, received a longer 16-year sentence and will not be eligible for early release.

Speaking about the petition and her ongoing campaign, Lissie Harper said she hoped public pressure would encourage the government to reconsider its decision.

“Hopefully we can make the current government come to their senses and realise we cannot put people like this back on our streets,” she said.

“Justice should mean justice and serving the sentence given.”

The campaign has renewed debate over the government’s temporary early release scheme, which was introduced as ministers attempt to address severe overcrowding in prisons across England and Wales.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the government was trying to prevent a “prison capacity crisis”, warning that the prison system could run out of space without intervention.

Under revised plans announced this week, prisoners convicted of certain serious offences, including rape, grooming and serious child sexual offences, will be excluded from early release.

However, those convicted of manslaughter, including PC Harper’s killers, remain eligible.

The decision has caused anger among police representatives and members of PC Harper’s family, who argue that killing an emergency worker while they are carrying out their duties should carry stronger consequences.

Aileen O’Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, said the possibility of early release had had a damaging effect on police morale.

She said PC Harper’s family had already experienced a lifelong punishment following his death.

“Lissie Harper, his parents, his brother, his family and his close friends are serving the life sentence of not having Andrew Harper here today fulfilling his best potential for his life,” she said.

Following her husband’s death, Lissie Harper campaigned for tougher sentences for people convicted of killing emergency workers while they are on duty.

Her campaign contributed to the introduction of Harper’s Law, which was later included in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.

The law increased sentencing protections for emergency workers, meaning that if PC Harper’s killers had been convicted under the current legislation, they would not have been eligible for the same early release arrangements.

In a statement, Lissie Harper expressed her frustration at the government’s decision.

“Seven years later, we are now faced with a secondary gut punch that is coming from our own government,” she said.

“The sentences Andrew’s killers received were pitiful, and the fact we are hearing these absurd reasons for early release like prisons being too full is disgraceful and disgusting.”

She added that those responsible for making the decision should feel ashamed.

The government has defended the early release policy, arguing it is a necessary response to overcrowding rather than a reduction in punishment.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the revised scheme would still prevent around 1,000 prisoners from being released early because of the exclusion of certain offences.

He said prisoners released on licence would face strict conditions and monitoring, while victims would be consulted before decisions were made.

“If we drew it any wider we would have a prison capacity crisis,” Norris said.

The issue has also attracted criticism from political figures.

Olivia Bailey, Labour MP for Reading and Mid West, said PC Harper’s killers should not qualify for early release.

“PC Harper’s killers should not be eligible for early release, and I am deeply disappointed that the government have not exempted them from the early release scheme following their review,” she said.

“I will continue to do whatever I can to challenge this decision.”

The case has become a symbol of the wider debate over sentencing, prison capacity and public confidence in the justice system.

Supporters of the early release scheme argue that managing prison numbers is essential to maintaining a functioning justice system, while opponents say reducing sentences for serious crimes risks undermining trust among victims and their families.

For the Harper family, however, the issue is deeply personal.

Since Andrew Harper’s death, Lissie Harper has repeatedly campaigned to ensure stronger protections for emergency workers and has called for greater recognition of the risks faced by police officers while serving their communities.

She has said that no government policy should ignore the impact on families who lose loved ones because of violent crime.

As the petition continues to gain support, the campaign remains focused on one central demand: that those responsible for PC Harper’s death should serve the sentences handed down by the courts.

For Lissie Harper, the fight represents not only her search for justice for Andrew, but also her belief that the punishment for taking the life of an emergency worker should reflect the seriousness of the crime.

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