'It's Justice for Harps,' say PC Harper's family after early release U-turn
PC Andrew Harper’s family and colleagues have expressed relief after the Government U-turned on early prison release, saying: “It’s justice for Harps.”
TL;DR
- The government has reversed its decision to allow early release for those convicted of unlawful killing.
- This U-turn specifically affects Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper.
- The decision followed a petition signed by over one million people and outcry from PC Harper's family and police.
- PC Harper was killed in 2019 when his ankles were caught by a trailing tow rope as his killers attempted to steal a quad bike.
- Cole and Bowers were jailed for 13 years each for manslaughter.
- The U-turn means the pair will now serve two-thirds of their sentence before parole eligibility.
- The policy change also exempts those convicted of rape, child sex offenses, grooming, indecent assault, and causing death by dangerous driving from early release.