Harper killers excluded from early release scheme
Harper killers excluded from early release scheme
Anonymous
Key Points
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Burnham has already moved to exclude rapists and child sex offenders from eligibility for the early-release scheme, signaling a tougher stance on releasing dangerous offenders.
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The proposed tightening specifically targets offenders convicted of 'unlawful act' manslaughter, a category identified for revised eligibility rules.
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Justice Secretary Alex Norris is set to lead the review and push secondary legislation to amend the Sentencing Act, with the aim of maximising public safety and minimising early release; the changes are due to be published when Parliament returns in September.
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Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole are both 23 years old, and were passengers in the car involved in the Harper incident when he was dragged after becoming entangled with a strap during the 2019 quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.
PC Andrew Harper's killers will be excluded from an early release scheme that would have let them leave prison sooner, Cornwall Live reported. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 23, were convicted in the 2019 death of the police officer during a quad bike theft in Berkshire. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to keep them locked up as Justice Secretary Alex Norris prepares new rules to block their release.
The government is tightening eligibility rules under the early release scheme, which currently allows prisoners to be freed after serving 40% of their sentence. Yahoo News reported that the proposed changes will specifically target offenders convicted of unlawful act manslaughter. New secondary legislation is expected when Parliament returns in September, closing a legal door that could have set Harper's killers free.
How PC Harper Died During a Quad Bike Theft
PC Andrew Harper was dragged to death in August 2019 near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, during a theft gone wrong. Bowers and Cole were passengers in a car fleeing the scene when Harper became entangled with a strap and was pulled behind the vehicle. The incident sparked outrage across the UK and led to calls for tougher treatment of those who kill police officers.
New Law Will Block Early Release for Cop Killers
Justice Secretary Alex Norris is leading a review to amend the Sentencing Act before September. Wales Online reported that Prime Minister Burnham is considering legal changes specifically to prevent cop-killers from being released early. The changes will tighten safeguards for the most serious offenders and stop the early release scheme from applying to those convicted of unlawful act manslaughter.
The government already moved to exclude rapists and child sex offenders from early release eligibility. These new amendments signal an even stricter stance on releasing dangerous prisoners. Secondary legislation will be needed to make the changes permanent, with full details expected when Parliament returns in autumn.
Public Anger and Political Pressure Force Government Action
The exclusion of Bowers and Cole comes after sustained public and political pressure to keep them in prison. Devon Live described it as a major government U-turn in response to widespread anger over the early release scheme. Labour has backed measures aimed at keeping Harper's killers behind bars and protecting public safety.
The early release scheme had been expanded in 2026 to allow prisoners to be freed at one-third of their sentence instead of 40%. Officials now recognize this poses risks for the most serious offenders, including those who kill emergency workers. The revised rules will ensure that cases like Harper's — where a police officer died — are treated with maximum severity under UK sentencing law.
What the Tightened Scheme Means Going Forward
The new rules specifically target convictions for unlawful act manslaughter, a category that includes deaths caused during other crimes. Gloucestershire Live reported that the changes will narrow who qualifies for early release. Bowers and Cole fall squarely into this category — they were fleeing a theft when Harper died.
Secondary legislation will be needed to formally amend the Sentencing Act and make these exclusions law. The government aims to maximize public safety by keeping dangerous offenders locked up longer. When Parliament returns in September, the full details of the review are expected to be published, likely closing any remaining legal paths for Harper's killers to seek early release.
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