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NEW HARPER AGONY
PC Andrew Harper's devastated widow today said she has been "let down" as a judge refused to extend his smirking teen killers' "soft" sentences.
The hero cop, 28, was dragged to his death while responding to a quad bike theft near Reading, Berkshire on August 15 last year.
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The Court of Appeal dismissed challenges by the Attorney General and the trio, ruling that their sentences will not be changed.
Attorney General Suella Braverman wanted the killers' sentences increased, while the teens had asked for them to be lowered.
Henry Long, 19, was sentenced to 16 years and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were handed 13 years in July over the death of the Thames Valley Police traffic officer.
Long - the leader of the group - admitted manslaughter, while passengers Cole and Bowers were convicted of manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey.
All three were cleared of murder, much to the dismay of the slain cop's family.
His devastated wife Lissie Harper, who wed her childhood sweetheart four weeks before his death, said she had been "let down" by the justice system after campaigning for the three to be given stronger sentences.
In a heartbreaking statement released today, she said: "My husband was killed in a barbaric way that has seen the nation shocked.
"This single act has rocked the lives of so many people who both loved Andrew and those who have watched from afar the heart-breaking story of his death.
"To take someone's life surely should mean to have your own freedom taken in return. Yet these criminals will see the light of day far, far earlier than they ever deserve to."
Lissie said she felt "let down" by the justice system, saying the law was "inadequate".
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"Many months have passed since I sat in a cold and soulless courtroom, awaiting the fate to be given to the criminals who took my husband's life and our future together," she said.
"Many days I have spent fighting against an inadequate sentence and a wrong-doing that I could not accept.
"Of course, no punishment, no time in prison will ever serve to make up for the theft of someone's life, and not just someone, but an incredible person who gave without greed or expectation to his fellow man, and I will be eternally proud to call Andrew my husband.
"I miss him more as each day passes and I will continue to live my life in his honour, with respect, love and an unbreakable moral code."
And she said she would continue to fight for the implementation of Harper's Law, calling for those convicted of manslaughter to be jailed for life if the victim is an emergency worker.
PC Harper's mum Debbie said in a statement: "We are obviously disappointed by either way this would not bring back Andrew to us.
"We know that nothing could ever make that happen and that's what we would wish for the most."
SENTENCES UNCHANGED
Today, Dame Victoria Sharp described the circumstances of PC Harper’s death as “dreadful”, but said: “All three of these offenders remain convicted of the manslaughter of PC Harper, but the length of their custodial sentences will remain unaltered.”
Lawyers representing Long, Cole and Bowers, who appeared by video link from HMP Belmarsh, argued their sentences were too long and should be reduced.
The Court of Appeal rejected the appeals against their sentences for manslaughter as "wholly unarguable".
The court reduced the sentences imposed on the pair for conspiracy to steal, from 38 months' detention to an 18-month detention and training order given their ages at the time of the offence.
However, Dame Victoria said: "This does not affect the sentences for manslaughter and, because the sentences were concurrent, it does not affect the overall length of the sentences.
"The effect of our decision is that all three offenders remain convicted of the manslaughter of PC Harper and the overall length of their custodial sentences remain unaltered."
At a hearing in November, Attorney General Suella Braverman had said the trio's sentences should be increased, for an offence that was "as serious a case of manslaughter as it is possible to envisage".
Dame Victoria Sharp - sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde and Mr Justice William Davis - gave the court's ruling on the appeals today.
During the trial, the court heard that the masked teens, who have a long list of previous convictions, had tried to steal a £10,000 bike armed with an axe, crowbars and a length of pipe when they were apprehended by PC Harper.
As the cop got out of his unmarked BMW police car, Cole unhitched the bike and made a bid for freedom through the passenger window.
But tragically, PC Harper's ankles became tangled in the two ropes attached to the teens' getaway car as they sped off.
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He was dragged along the country lane at speeds of up to 60mph, leaving him with horrific injuries.
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His heartless killers smirked and dozed off in court as the gruesome catalogue of wounds was read to the court.
Jurors were told PC Harper would have been knocked unconscious almost immediately and was therefore unable to free himself.
Lissie Harper's full statement
Many months have passed since I sat in a cold and soulless courtroom, awaiting the fate to be given to the criminals who took my husband’s life and our future together.
Many days I have spent fighting against an inadequate sentence and a wrong-doing that I could not accept.
I wish to offer my sincere gratitude to the Attorney General and show my respect to her for the decisions she made regarding the undue leniency of this case.
I know that she made the right decisions in seeking review of these sentences and regardless of the outcome I am pleased that she holds the same views as myself and so many other law-abiding citizens of this country.
Today after so much waiting we have finally been given the outcome of these long-awaited decisions regarding these three men, their futures and whether or not justice will ultimately be served.
Of course, no punishment, no time in prison will ever serve to make up for the theft of someone’s life, and not just someone, but an incredible person who gave without greed or expectation to his fellow man, and I will be eternally proud to call Andrew my husband.
I miss him more as each day passes and I will continue to live my life in his honour, with respect, love and an unbreakable moral code.
I am of course disappointed with this outcome and ultimately feel along with the Attorney General and the majority of our country that these sentences are far too lenient, that they do not reflect the severity and barbarity of the crimes they committed.
I continue to feel let down by our justice system and the inadequate laws that we have in place.
My husband was killed in a barbaric way that has seen the nation shocked. This single act has rocked the lives of so many people who both loved Andrew and those who have watched from afar the heart-breaking story of his death.
To take someone’s life surely should mean to have your own freedom taken in return. Yet these criminals will see the light of day far, far earlier than they ever deserve to.
I remain more determined than ever to do what is right and to ensure we see what should have been in place so long ago. I know now more than ever the importance and requirement for Harper’s Law, which would see those who kill our emergency services heroes receive a life jail sentence.
I will fervently continue to fight for the safety and justice that our emergency service heroes so greatly deserve.
No person should go to work and never return home. No person who works tirelessly and without gratitude to provide a service to our people should ever be placed in such a position that they lose their lives, and ultimately are not given the respect to even see justice prevail in their name.
So along with a mighty team and the support of the public, I will not stop until I see change in our systems.
I will not give up until Harper’s Law is passed through Parliament and my husband’s death goes to stand for the heroic and honourable service he gave to us all.
I hope you will all stand with me in demanding better, striving for more and ultimately giving our protectors the respect they deserve.
Wife of killed PC Andrew Harper, Lissie Harper, gives statement outside Court of Appeal hearing
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