Pc Harper's killers to be excluded from early release
Justice Secretary Alex Norris to introduce secondary legislation to amend the Sentencing Act 2026.
Incident → evidence → outcomeAlbert Bowers and Jessie Cole, two of the three individuals convicted of killing Police Constable Andrew Harper, are reportedly to be excluded from an early release scheme. The exclusion would affect those found guilty of a specific category of manslaughter, according to reports by The Telegraph. Bowers and Cole were due for potential early release next year, having served half of their 13-year sentences.
Review of Early Release Scheme
The Prime Minister ordered a review of the early release scheme, which is being conducted by Justice Secretary Alex Norris. The review's findings are expected to be published when Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess in September. Mr Norris was tasked by Andy Burnham with developing a plan to enhance public safety and limit the early release of prisoners. Police chiefs have been informed that Mr Norris intends to introduce secondary legislation to modify the Sentencing Act 2026.
The early release scheme, which began in September 2024, was implemented to alleviate prison overcrowding. It permits certain inmates to be released after serving 40% of their fixed-term sentence, a reduction from the standard 50%. The Sentencing Act 2026, enacted earlier this year, allows for further expansion of this scheme by lowering the minimum sentence served to one-third.
Background to the Convictions
Pc Andrew Harper died in August 2019 in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. Bowers and Cole were passengers in a car that dragged the officer down a road after he became entangled in a strap attached to the vehicle as the occupants fled the scene of a quad bike theft. Unlawful act manslaughter occurs when an individual causes another's death during the commission of a separate illegal act.
Harper's Law, a measure campaigned for by Pc Harper's family, mandates life sentences for individuals convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime. The Government has also introduced a presumption that those convicted of murdering police, prison, or probation officers will receive a whole-life order.
Questions this report answers
01Will Pc Harper's killers be released early?
Reports indicate that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, convicted of killing Pc Andrew Harper, will be excluded from the early release scheme. This exclusion applies to those convicted of unlawful act manslaughter and is expected to be formalised through secondary legislation.
02What is the Sentencing Act 2026?
The Sentencing Act 2026, which became law earlier this year, allows for an expansion of early release schemes. It reduces the threshold for early release from serving 40% of a fixed-term sentence to one-third.
03What is Harper's Law?
Harper's Law mandates that anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime receives a mandatory life sentence. The Government has also introduced a presumption for whole-life orders for those convicted of murdering police, prison, or probation officers.
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