Officer who led PC Harper investigation 'appalled' killers could be released early

The senior investigating officer in the PC Andrew Harper case has told the BBC he is "appalled" that two of the killers will become eligible for early release.

PC Harper, 28, from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, died from catastrophic injuries in 2019 when he was dragged behind the getaway car of three teenagers who had fled the scene of a quad bike theft.

Two of his killers – Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers – will be eligible for early release next year under revised government plans to tackle prison overcrowding.

PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, has been among a growing number calling for Cole and Bowers to be denied early release from prison.

In a statement given exclusively to BBC Breakfast, former Det Sup Stuart Blaik, who led the Thames Valley Police investigation, said "like many people across the country" he was "deeply concerned and appalled" by the prospect of Bowers and Cole being considered for early release.

He said that because the "death of Andrew was such a serious and tragic case", Bowers and Coles should "not be afforded the opportunity" to be released early.

"Neither of them showed any remorse during their time in police custody or during their subsequent trial.

"I hope the Government takes account of the strength of public feeling on this issue, which has been both clear and widespread," he added.

The former Det Sup left Thames Valley Police in 2023. This is the first time he has publicly shared his views on the issue.

Under revised plans announced by the government on Monday, prisoners who have committed rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences will be excluded from an early release scheme for England and Wales.

But those guilty of manslaughter may still be eligible.

Bowers and Cole were sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper.

They will become eligible for release from prison after serving half of their sentences under the plans, instead of two-thirds.

The driver of the getaway car, Henry Long, was jailed for 16 years for the same offence. But Long will not be eligible.

PC Harper and Lissie had been married for just a month when he was killed in the line of duty.

On Thursday, the police officer's widow said she "will not give up" and hoped people would share a petition calling for his killers to be denied early release from prison.

She said: "Hopefully we can make the current government come to their senses and realise we cannot put people like this back on our streets.

"Justice should mean justice and serving the sentence given."

The government said it was trying to avoid running out of prison spaces as soon as October this year.

The justice secretary Alex Norris previously said about 1,000 prisoners would now not be released early following the revision to the scheme.

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

Prisoners released on licence, he said, would be subject to "very significant controls on their lives" and victims would be consulted.