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Rule change could keep PC Andrew Harpers killers behind bars

The Ministry of Justice is reportedly looking at stopping all those who committed 'unlawful act' manslaughter from the early release scheme, to keep PC Andrew Harpers killers behind bars

[PC Andrew Harper's killers could be blocked from the early release scheme]

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PC Andrew Harper's killers could be blocked from the early release scheme(Image: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)

Ministers could block the release of PC Andrew Harpers killers by barring all those who committed a type of manslaughter from being let out of jail early.

Andy Burnham has tasked the Justice Secretary Alex Norris to come up with a solution to stop Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole from being freed under the governments early release scheme.

The controversial programme to let offenders free early was designed to avoid the collapse of the crisis-hit prison system.

PC Harper was 28 when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019. He died after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.

[Jessie Cole (left) and Albert Bowers could be blocked from early release]

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Jessie Cole (left) and Albert Bowers could be blocked from early release(Image: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)

Cole and Bowers, who were passengers in the car, were sentenced to 13 years each in July 2020 for unlawful act manslaughter because they committed a crime knowing it could cause harm, even if it could not be proved that they intended to kill the victim.

Ministry of Justice officials were warned it is not possible to secure a carve-out from early release solely for Bowers and Cole because it would be subject to legal challenge.

According to The Times, the Government is now looking at stopping all those who committed unlawful act manslaughter from the early release scheme.

This would likely include most of the 470 people who are serving sentences for manslaughter and are eligible to be freed.

Those who committed other forms of manslaughter, such as gross negligence or voluntary manslaughter, would still be released.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the PM said: Ive said I want to do everything possible to ensure we dont see the release of people involved in the killing of Pc Harper and other individuals.

I recognise that its very hard for his family. The anniversary of his death passed just at the weekend, so we understand that this is a difficult time.

But it is important, given the public concern, that I do everything possible to get this right. That I do everything possible to minimise early release. Thats why were looking at every way I can do that, with the Justice Secretary, and well present our findings in two weeks time.

Asked about the specific exemption, Mr Burnham said: At this moment in time, this is speculation, because I asked the Justice Secretary to develop a plan to maximise public safety and minimise the early release of prisoners.

It comes as more than one million people signed a petition set up to stop PC Harpers killers from being released early from prison.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Public safety will always be our priority. We are fast-tracking a plan to keep more of the most serious offenders behind bars, on top of murderers, anyone on life sentences and those in prison for rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences who are already blocked from any changes.

We share the publics anger that these options are even being considered, after we inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse. We are fixing this by building 14,000 new prison places, expanding electronic tagging on an unprecedented scale, and investing in probation services at record levels.

"We are also exploring how we can go further, including faster deportation of foreign criminals, better use of the womens estate and reviewing the unjust IPP sentences.

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