Widow of PC Andrew Harper Condemns Early Release Scheme

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 23, 2026

The killers of PC Andrew Harper, who was fatally injured in 2019, may be eligible for early release halfway through their 13-year manslaughter sentences under a new government scheme. This prospect has prompted strong criticism from Harper’s widow and family, sparking a political backlash and calls for a review of the policy amid concerns it undermines justice for victims.

The widow of PC Andrew Harper has strongly criticized the government’s early release scheme after it emerged that two of her husband’s killers may be freed halfway through their sentences. PC Harper, 28, was fatally injured in 2019 while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. His killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in 2020, but under the new Sentencing Act scheduled to take effect in September, they could be eligible for release after serving half their term.

Lissie Harper, who married PC Harper just a month before his death and has since received an MBE for her campaigning work, described the possibility of their early release as “deplorable.” She said politicians are “making decisions from behind a desk” without fully considering the long-lasting impact on victims' families. She emphasized that “Andrew deserves better. Every victim deserves better. And the British public deserves a justice system they can have faith in.” Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, also expressed her distress, calling the prospect “appalling” and “contemptible,” and said she was awaiting confirmation on whether the offenders would be among those released.

The early release scheme is part of broader efforts to ease overcrowding in prisons, with around 6,000 offenders expected to benefit across various categories. While Henry Long, the driver of the vehicle involved in PC Harper’s death who received a 16-year sentence, will not be eligible for early release, Cole and Bowers could potentially be freed after serving half their sentence, rather than the two-thirds previously set by the judge.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he will review the policy in detail alongside the Justice Secretary but did not guarantee that he could fully reverse the early release scheme. Burnham also reprimanded two Cabinet ministers, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, after they were caught joking about the policy on a live microphone, calling such behavior unacceptable amid the serious concerns raised.

The scheme has sparked a political backlash, with some opposition figures accusing the government of prioritizing criminals over victims. Conservative Party member Kemi Badenoch condemned the policy as “disgusting” and called on Burnham to halt the early release scheme immediately, highlighting public outrage over the release of offenders convicted of serious crimes, including those involved in grooming gangs.

PC Harper’s killing had previously led to the introduction of “Harper’s Law,” which mandates life sentences for individuals convicted of killing emergency workers in the course of a crime. However, his widow said the law’s intent now “feels forgotten” amid the early release plans, which she believes undermine justice and accountability. The Ministry of Justice has yet to clarify which categories of offenders will ultimately be included in the early release program.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.