PC Harper Case: Officer Condemns Killers’ Early Release Plans

Published: 7 August 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The senior police officer who led the investigation into the killing of PC Andrew Harper has said he is “appalled” that two men convicted of his manslaughter could become eligible for early release from prison.

Former Thames Valley Police Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik, who oversaw the investigation into PC Harper’s death, said the seriousness of the case meant the two offenders should not be considered for release under the government’s revised plans to reduce prison overcrowding.

PC Andrew Harper, 28, died in August 2019 after suffering catastrophic injuries when he was dragged behind a vehicle while responding to reports of a stolen quad bike in Berkshire.

His death shocked the country and led to widespread calls for tougher sentencing protections for emergency workers killed while carrying out their duties.

Two of the men convicted over his death, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were each sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter in 2020. Under new government plans, they will become eligible for release after serving half of their sentences rather than two-thirds.

The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence for manslaughter but will not qualify for early release under the scheme.

Former Detective Superintendent Blaik, speaking exclusively to BBC Breakfast, said the prospect of Cole and Bowers leaving prison earlier than expected had caused concern among many people involved in the case.

“Like many people across the country, I am deeply concerned and appalled by the prospect of Bowers and Cole being considered for early release,” he said.

He argued that because PC Harper’s death was such a serious and tragic case, the two men should not be included in the scheme.

“Neither of them showed any remorse during their time in police custody or during their subsequent trial,” Blaik said.

“I hope the government takes account of the strength of public feeling on this issue, which has been both clear and widespread.”

The former officer said allowing the men to leave prison early could damage confidence in the justice system and affect police morale.

He pointed to comments made by the sentencing judge, Mr Justice Edis, who described the manslaughter case as being “very close to a case of murder in its seriousness”.

Blaik said offenders convicted of manslaughter where there was a high level of culpability should be excluded from early release arrangements.

He added that the government should take time to reconsider whether the policy was appropriate for cases involving the deaths of emergency workers.

The comments come as PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, continues her campaign to prevent her husband’s killers from being released early.

Lissie Harper, who married Andrew just weeks before his death, has repeatedly criticised the decision to include manslaughter offenders in the revised prison release scheme.

She said she would continue fighting for the full sentences handed down by the court to be respected.

“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.”

A petition calling for Cole and Bowers to be excluded from early release has gained hundreds of thousands of signatures, reflecting anger among members of the public and policing communities.

The campaign was supported by Aileen O’Connor, chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, who said the decision had affected morale among officers.

She said PC Harper’s family had already suffered an unimaginable loss.

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

The government has defended the revised early release scheme, saying it is necessary to prevent prisons from running out of space.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the government was attempting to avoid a prison capacity crisis and that thousands of prisoners remained subject to strict licence conditions after release.

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

He added that victims would be consulted before prisoners were released and that those leaving prison early would face significant restrictions.

Under the updated plans for England and Wales, offenders convicted of rape, grooming and serious child sexual offences will be excluded from the scheme.

However, manslaughter convictions remain eligible, creating controversy in cases involving serious public concern.

The government has argued that the scheme is a practical response to overcrowding rather than a reduction in sentencing standards.

Critics, including PC Harper’s family and former police investigators, argue that early release in serious cases undermines the principle of justice and fails to recognise the impact on victims’ families.

PC Harper’s death led to the introduction of Harper’s Law, which increased sentences for people convicted of killing emergency workers while they are on duty.

The legislation means that if the same offence happened today, the offenders would face tougher sentencing rules and would not qualify for the current early release arrangement.

For Stuart Blaik, the former senior officer responsible for investigating one of the most high-profile police deaths in recent years, the issue is about ensuring public trust.

He said decisions surrounding early release must consider not only prison capacity but also the seriousness of crimes and the confidence of those who serve on the frontline.

As the debate continues, PC Harper’s family has vowed to keep campaigning for what they believe is justice for a police officer who lost his life protecting others.

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