PC Andrew Harper’s killers’ ‘lenient’ jail terms could be INCREASED as hero cop’s family speak of fresh hope over review
THE family of PC Andrew Harper have spoken of their fresh hopes of justice as a review was launched into the 'soft' sentences given to his killers.
Attorney General Suella Braverman will look into whether the jail time handed down to Henry Long, 19, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, was too lenient after a request to review the case.
Long, who was driving the car when the Thames Valley Police officer was dragged to his death while responding to a quad bike theft on August 15, was caged for 16 years.
Bowers and Cole were handed 13 years in prison and banned from driving for two years.
Long, Bowers and Cole were originally accused of PC Harper's murder but were instead convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter - meaning they were handed a lesser prison sentence of just 42 years in total.
Long was originally facing 24 years in prison for his role in killing PC Harper in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire.
However, he was handed a lenient sentence after being given credit for his early plea, time spent on remand and his age.
The maximum sentence for manslaughter is life.
Mum speaks of fresh hope for family
PC Harper's mother Debbie Adlam said the announcement gives his family fresh hope justice will be done.
She said: "We've been hoping something would change.
"Not really knowing whether we would hear anything - we certainly didn't expect to hear anything so soon.
"We walked out from the court two weeks on the trot just feeling so let down. Andrew deserves so much better.
"And we can't bring him back but all we can do is try and hope that there's something better to give him the justice he deserves, and give us some kind of closure."
It comes after PC Harper's devastated widow Lissie wrote an open letter to Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel and former Labour Home Secretary Lord (David) Blunkett urging them and others "to right such a despicable wrong for our country".
At sentencing, all three were warned they will not be eligible for release until they have served at least two thirds of their sentence - meaning "leader of the gang" Long could be back on the streets in just ten years.
And his accomplices could be out in just eight years if they serve the minimum - despite Mr Justice Edis telling them the killing was "very close to murder".
The Attorney General has no power to order a retrial, and prosecutors would either need new and compelling evidence to apply for the acquittals to be quashed, or there would need to be proven interference with the jury.
A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office said: "The Attorney General's thoughts are with the family and friends of Pc Andrew Harper at this difficult time.
"I can confirm that we have received a request for the cases of Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole to be considered under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.
"The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case."
In her letter to the Prime Minister Lissie Harper said she "implored" him to hear her request.
She wrote: "If there is even the slightest chance that this abominable injustice can be rectified then I will do everything I possibly can to ensure that it is."
Lissie added: "I implore you to hear my words, see the facts that are laid out before us, and I ask with no expectations other than hope that you might help me to make these changes be considered, to ensure that Andrew is given the retrial that he unquestionably deserves and to see that the justice system in our country is the solid ethical foundation that it rightly should be. Not the joke that so many of us now view it to be."
The PM's spokesman said he would responded to Mrs Harper's letter "formally once legal proceedings have concluded.”
'ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING'
The killers' families wept and gasped as the sentences were handed down, while Lissie's mum Julie Beckett applauded.
Sentencing, the judge said nothing he can do can “restore Andrew Harper to his loving wife or family", adding: "His devastating loss in terrible circumstances will follow his family for ever.”
Describing the killers as "young, unintelligent but professional criminals", he added none of them had "shown anything resembling remorse".
The soft sentences dished out to Long, Bowers and Cole were met with fury by social media users.
One person wrote: "Absolutely disgusting, no justice for him, his family or his beautiful wife. Another failing by the system."
Another read: "Disgraceful sentencing."
One person fumed: "So that's all his life was worth then? I feel sick at this verdict."
'LIFE SENTENCE'
Lissie, who wed her childhood sweetheart, 28, four weeks before his death, bravely faced his killers at the Old Bailey.
She read a heartfelt statement outside the court describing how she has her "own life sentence" last week.
And she described her husband as "selfless, beautiful and heroic" and called his killers "senseless, barbaric and brutal".
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She said: “I now have my own life sentence to bear and believe me when I say it will be a lot more painful, soul destroying and painful journey than anyone facing a meagre number of years in prison will experience."
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PC Harper's devastated mum has also spoken out against the manslaughter verdicts - branding it a "miscarriage of justice".
She has joined thousands of others who have signed a petition calling on the authorities to overturn the decision.
