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PC Andrew Harper's Widow Wins Bid To Change UK Law

PC Andrew Harper's Widow Wins Bid To Change UK Law

The widow of PC Andrew Harper has won the bid to change the UK law for those who kill emergency workers

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

The government is set to introduce mandatory life sentences for offenders who cause the death of an emergency service worker in the line of duty.

This new legislation will be labelled as 'Harper's Law' - after the death of PC Andrew Harper.

Newlywed Andrew, was killed in the line of duty while attending reports of a stolen quad bike at about 11.30pm on 15 August 2019, close to the A4 Bath Road near Sulhamstead, in Berkshire.

His widow, Lissie, issued a bid to have the law changed following the death of her partner.

Alamy

PC Harper went to the property with his colleague PC Andrew Shaw. It was four hours after his shift was due to finish, though the pair were in the area so wanted to help.

When the officers found the thieves, 28-year-old PC Harper got out of the vehicle to chase them moments before his foot became caught in a tow rope (that was initially pulling the quad bike).

Tragically, he was dragged for more than a mile and died at the scene.

PC Harper had only been married for a month to his wife, when he was tragically killed.

Alamy

The three teenagers that killed PC Andrew Harper in August last year were sentenced to a total of 42 years.

In July 2020, Henry Long, 19, was jailed for 16 years after he was acquitted of murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

He was given a 25 percent reduction for his plea.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were also acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey.

They have been sentenced to 13 years each.

Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18.
Thames Valley Police

Sentencing judge, Mr Justice Edis told the court: "Sometimes a case of manslaughter may be very similar to a case of murder.

"That is so here."

In a lengthy post, that you can read in full here, heart-broken Lissie wrote: "In total honesty I could write and write until my fingers hurt, I could pour my heart further into this letter, I could scream and shout and stand with fierce determination in the eyes of opposition over this crucial matter.

"After all what else can I do for my husband now? My heart bleeds for the life that was so selfishly taken from us, but yet in arduous restraint I will not go on any further."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook

Topics: UK News