Two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers will NOT be freed after change to Early Release Scheme

PC ANDREW Harper’s killers will remain behind bars after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced changes to the early release scheme. The PM said anyone convicted of unlawful killing – like Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers – would be exempt and will stay in prison. The Prime Minister has confirmed that two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers will be kept in prison, pictured Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole Credit: The Sun Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper Credit: PA Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper, 28, who was dragged for more than a mile behind their car when he responded to reports of theft in 2019. Plans to let out the killers in January – under Labour plans to release up to 5,000 prisoners over ten months from October – had sparked fury. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Now, Mr Burnham has said “hundreds” of people will remain in prison as part of changes to the scheme designed to ease prison overcrowding. Prisoners convicted of historic child sex offences will also be blocked from changes. Andy Burnham has confirmed that the killers of PC Harper will stay behind bars Credit: AFP A car dragged Andrew to his death when his ankles were caught in a towrope back in 2019 Credit: PA Mr Burnham said: “I know how strongly people feel about this issue. I understand the concern and anger because I share it. “That’s why I took action during my first weeks as Prime Minister to block some of the very worst in society being released before they should. “We moved quickly to block vile criminals who commit rape, sexually abuse children and groom vulnerable young people.” He continued: “But I always said I wanted to do more. We will now not only be keeping offenders serving time for indecent assault locked up, but also those in prison for manslaughter and death by dangerous driving. Most read in The Sun “This means that the awful criminals responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper will not have their sentence shortened.” The Prime Minister ordered a review of the changes to the Sentencing Act, which is being undertaken by Justice Secretary Alex Norris and is set to be published when Parliament returns from summer recess this week. The changes increase the risk of the Government running out of space in jails, with only around 1,600 spare places available in men’s prisons, which are running at 98 per cent capacity. Mr Burnham said extra space in prisons would be created by deporting foreign prisoners. Albert Bowers, who was jailed for manslaughter will not be released early Credit: PA Jessie Cole, also jailed for manslaughter Credit: PA He is also looking to fix the dispute over Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences — abolished in 2012 — under which more than 2,300 people are indefinitely detained or trapped in a cycle of lifelong recall, and the release of lower-risk offenders. Mr Burnham added: “None of this is easy because people who were convicted under those sentences did cause harm. So it’s not an easy choice. “However, I’ve applied common sense here, and I was faced with a situation where people on those sentences who have more than served their time not being released, when others who’ve committed very serious crimes being released early.” The early release scheme is due to begin in October, with the first offenders freed in tranches over the next 10 months. Full details of the latest changes are expected to be revealed by the Justice Secretary when Parliament returns. Newly-married PC Harper died after getting caught up in a strap attached to the rear of a car. He was dragged more than a mile as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berks, in 2019. Bowers and Cole, both 17 at the time of the crime, got 13 years in 2020 after being convicted of manslaughter and remain eligible to be freed in January, just halfway through their sentences. Hopes were raised for PC Harper’s family when the PM ordered a review of the scheme. Changes were made including preventing rapists and paedophiles from being let out early — but did not include those convicted of manslaughter like Bowers and Cole. The exemption from early release will now be extended to voluntary manslaughter – intentional killing with a partial defence such as provocation – and gross negligence manslaughter caused by extreme carelessness. The rule changes mean up to 500 killers convicted of manslaughter will no longer be released early from October. Thames Valley Police welcomed confirmation from the Prime Minister that Bowers and Cole will not be released under the early release arrangements that had previously been proposed. Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “Today’s confirmation that these offenders will not be released under the proposed arrangements will be welcomed by many across policing and our communities. “Over recent weeks we have consistently expressed our concerns about the potential impact these release arrangements could have had on Andrew Harper’s family, friends and colleagues, the wider policing service and the communities he served. “I am grateful that those concerns were listened to and carefully considered. Throughout this process, our focus has been on ensuring that the voices of victims, families, colleagues and communities were heard and understood and properly considered alongside the wider challenges facing the criminal justice system. “We know this case has resonated far beyond Thames Valley Police. Today’s announcement may bring reassurance not only to Andrew’s family, but to other victims and bereaved families who have followed this issue closely and who continue to seek confidence that the most serious offences are treated with the gravity they deserve. “Today is not about politics. It is about remembering Andrew, recognising the profound impact his death continues to have on those who knew him, the communities he protected and those who serve in policing today.”