PC Andrew Harper's killers may be eligible for early release, government confirms

Two of the men jailed for killing police officer Andrew Harper after he was dragged down a country road while responding to a burglary may be eligible for early release.

Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were jailed in 2020 for manslaughter.

PC Harper, who was 28, was dragged for a mile behind their car after he tried to stop the group towing away a stolen quad bike in Berkshire in August 2019.

Cole and Bowers, who were 17 at the time of the incident, were passengers in the vehicle. They were given a 13-year prison sentence but might be eligible for release halfway through, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.

The Police Federation for England and Wales has condemned the prospect as "disgusting".

Its deputy national chair, Brian Booth, said: "Police officers from across the country stood side by side to honour Andrew Harper at his funeral. They and every serving officer will be utterly sickened at the prospect of Bowers and Cole being back on the streets so soon."

'It feels like an insult'

It comes after PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, told The Telegraph she had received a letter from the department informing her the sentences may be reduced. Long, the driver, received a 16-year term and won't be eligible.

Ms Adlam told The Telegraph it "makes me feel sick" that Cole and Bowers may be released. "It feels like a slap in the face and an insult," she added.

The potential release of Cole and Bowers would come under the Sentencing Act. Set to come into force in September, the legislation stands to see 6,000 prisoners released early.

The policy has proved controversial, but the government has repeatedly said it must act to free up jail cells.

An MoJ spokesperson said: "This was a horrific crime, and our deepest sympathies are with PC Andrew Harper's family and friends.

"In 2024, the country was facing a prison crisis and a total breakdown of law and order, with judges ordered to stop jailing dangerous criminals.

"This government is committed to public safety: we are building prison places at the fastest rate since the Victorian era and taking the difficult decisions needed to lock up the most dangerous offenders."

Following his death, PC Harper's widow Lissie Harper successfully campaigned for legal changes to see harsher sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers on duty.

Harper's Law introduced mandatory life sentences for anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty, including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics. But the legislation was not retrospective, meaning PC Harper's killers cannot have their sentences extended.

The backlash to the early release of PC Harper's killers comes as the new defence secretary, Wes Streeting, had to apologise for making a joke about the controversial scheme.

He was caught on mic before Prime Minister Andy Burnham's first cabinet meeting on Tuesday joking the new justice secretary, Alex Norris, "wants to let them all out".

Mr Streeting said he was "ribbing" his colleague but added: "I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity."

(c) Sky News 2026: PC Andrew Harper's killers may be eligible for early release, government confirms