Lissie Harper case: killers may get early prison release
The UK government has confirmed two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers may be eligible for early release under Labour’s prison overcrowding scheme—news that reopens wounds for widow Lissie Harper and the officer’s family. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, jailed for 13 years for manslaughter, could be freed halfway through their sentences, the Ministry of Justice has indicated.
Key Takeaways
- Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers may be released halfway through 13-year manslaughter sentences under the MoJ early release scheme.
- PC Andrew Harper, 28, was fatally dragged near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, on 15 August 2019 while investigating a quad bike theft.
- Driver Henry Long, serving 16 years, is not eligible for the scheme but may seek parole after half his term.
- Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, called the prospect an “insult” after receiving an MoJ letter about possible sentence reductions.
- It remains unclear exactly when Cole and Bowers could become eligible for release.
Who may get early release, and why does it matter now?
According to reporting on a Ministry of Justice update, Cole and Bowers—passengers in the vehicle involved in Harper’s death and aged 17 at the time—are now eligible to be released halfway through the 13-year custody terms imposed in 2020.
The move sits within Labour government plans aimed at easing prison overcrowding. For families still living with the crime’s aftermath, including Lissie Harper’s campaign legacy after her husband’s death, the timing feels raw: later law changes did not rewrite these sentences.
Coverage of the confirmation is detailed in Sky News, which reported the government position on eligibility.
How did PC Andrew Harper die?
On 15 August 2019, Harper responded to the theft of a quad bike near Sulhamstead in Berkshire. As Cole and Bowers tried to flee, his ankle became caught in a towrope loop attached to the car.
The vehicle—driven by Henry Long—dragged Harper’s body more than a mile along the road. He was 28. In 2020, Cole and Bowers received 13 years for manslaughter; Long received 16 years.
Stories like this sit alongside other cases tracked in our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries coverage, where sentencing outcomes and later policy shifts often collide.
What has Harper’s family said about early release?
Debbie Adlam, Harper’s mother, was informed in a letter from the MoJ that the killers might have their sentences reduced. The department acknowledged the information “may be difficult” given “the lasting impact the offence may have had.”
Adlam told The Telegraph the potential early release was an “insult beyond anything able to be put into words.” She added: “It makes me feel sick. Andrew’s life doesn’t get to come back. It feels like a slap in the face and an insult.”
Is Henry Long also eligible under the scheme?
No. Long, the driver, is not eligible for early release under the overcrowding scheme. He will be able to apply for parole after serving half of his 16-year sentence.
Officials have not publicly set a firm release window for Cole and Bowers. Families, campaigners linked to Lissie Harper’s push for tougher protection of emergency workers, and the wider public are watching for clearer dates as the policy rolls out.