Albert Bowers, one of the men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper, was due to be considered for release halfway through his 13-year sentence despite having a previous conviction for a sexual offence, according to reports on his prison record.
Bowers, 24, was set to be released alongside Jessie Cole, 29, under the Government’s early-release plans, which were introduced to ease severe overcrowding in England and Wales.
The pair were sentenced to 13 years in 2020 after being convicted of manslaughter over the death of the Thames Valley Police officer. Both were passengers in a car driven by Henry Long as the group fled after stealing a quad bike in Berkshire in August 2019.
PC Harper, 28, became caught in a strap trailing from the vehicle and was dragged along country roads as the car sped away. Long received a 16-year sentence and was not eligible for the same release arrangement.
PC Harper killers excluded from early-release changes
The Government later announced that all manslaughter convictions would be excluded from the sentencing changes. That decision means Bowers and Cole will not have their sentences shortened under the scheme.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the change would ensure that those responsible for PC Harper’s death were not released earlier than intended. The decision followed criticism from police leaders and the officer’s family, who argued that releasing the pair early would undermine confidence in the justice system.
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said the prospect of the men being freed early was “demoralising” for officers and emergency workers. He noted that anyone convicted of the same offence today would face the provisions of Harper’s Law, which introduced a mandatory life sentence for those who unlawfully kill an emergency worker while committing a crime, except in exceptional circumstances.
Bowers and Cole were acquitted of murder at the Old Bailey but convicted of manslaughter. Their sentences were upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2020.
