Government Seeks to Exclude Killers of PC Andrew Harper from Prison Sentence Reductions

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has instructed his Justice Secretary to explore methods to exempt PC Andrew Harper’s convicted killers from early release initiatives aimed at reducing prison populations.

The PM’s office is optimistic a resolution can be achieved to prevent Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were handed 13-year sentences for manslaughter in 2020, from qualifying under proposed reforms. The BBC understands Burnham directed Justice Secretary Alex Norris to formally propose measures ensuring the two remain incarcerated beyond their minimum terms.

Earlier this year, Downing Street cautioned that only “one or two high-profile offenders” convicted of manslaughter might be excluded from scheduled early releases tied to Sentencing Act amendments. These changes now allow prisoners serving half their sentences to seek early freedom, a departure from prior rules requiring two-thirds completion for serious offenders.

PC Harper, 28, was fatally injured in a 2019 hit-and-run after being dragged behind a stolen quad bike in Berkshire. His killers, Cole and Bowers—found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder—face eligibility for release from January 2025 under current proposals. The driver, Henry Long, serves a 16-year extended sentence barring him from reduced terms.

Legal analysts note Cole and Bowers previously benefited from a stricter “two-thirds” rule for violent crimes until 2023 legislative updates. The government now faces challenges crafting exceptions without broadly impacting hundreds of inmates eligible under the revised thresholds.

A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the PM has prioritized retaining “the most dangerous offenders” in prisons, including Cole and Bowers, though specifics on implementation remain under deliberation. Burns’s maritime-themed holiday calls with civil servants underscore the urgency of resolving the issue.

Sources confirm Norris will clarify exclusion criteria “in due course,” with potential proposals including statutory amendments restricting early release to those convicted of non-violent offenses. The Prime Minister’s office has not commented on the timeline for public announcements.

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