PC Andrew Harper: Police officer's father backs call for life sentences for killers of emergency service workers, Two of PC Harper's killers launch appeals against their convictions, PC Andrew Harper's widow says he would have been proud of her for calling for law change, The operator told him officers were on their way, saying: "You can't go out there if they've got a weapon, you are going to be hurt. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Both the Home Secretary Priti Patel and the Justice Secretary Dominic Raab credited Lissie Harper's campaign with convincing them to pass the law. The men were on their way home - they didn't have to respond - but they made a decision to go beyond the call of duty. PC Harper's crew-mate described the moment that the officer appeared to fall and slip away from view during a robbery. Long, from Mortimer, Reading, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder and said he did not know PC Harper was attached to the vehicle. Who was Ukrainian minister Denys Monastyrsky? This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Harper's widow had made a victim impact statement and later released an open letter, in which she implored Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel to allow a retrial seeking a murder verdict. Ms Kent told a press conference: "A post-mortem was carried out on Andrew's body yesterday and the cause of death has been recorded as multiple injuries. Describing the moment PC Harper got caught in the strapping, prosecutor Mr Laidlaw told jurors: 'What of course PC Harper had not seen, but each of these defendants would have known, was that the loop of strapping now on the ground and being dragged behind the SEAT was still attached to the hinge of the boot lid of the vehicle. "Nobody's been given a script it just seemed to take hold," said PC Harper's friend Andy Ledbury, who put up a blue ribbon outside his plant nursery. [26] The trial, which was being held during the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed on 19 March after two of the jurors were discharged because they were self-isolating. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Harper, a 28-year-old Thames Valley police officer, was . Credit: PA On Saturday, forensics officers were seen searching a caravan. [46], In August 2020, Harper's widow launched a campaign for a new law which would require life imprisonment for criminals whose actions result in the death of any police officer, prison officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, or paramedic. They were cleared of his murder. I quickly realised it was a person. A post-mortem revealed the devastating effect of even the initial injuries, thought to have been sustained when the back of PC Harper's head struck the ground. After four weeks of evidence and 12 hours, 22 minutes of deliberations, jurors acquitted all three defendants of murder. Ms Kent also urged the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the incident. "They came round earlier and now they're at my property in Stanford Dingley.". [3][11][12] At 23:28, Shaw and Harper happened upon a SEAT Toledo towing the stolen quad bike on Admoor Lane near Bradfield Southend. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. As Pc Harper tried to apprehend one the suspects, his ankles got caught on a tow rope attached to their Seat Toledo and he was dragged to his death. He was pulled along winding country roads for more than a mile at speeds of some 42mph before he became detached in Ufton Lane off the A4. Our grandson Andrew was killed last night while doing his police work. Pc Harper joined as a special constable in 2010 before becoming a police officer a year later, serving in the Roads Policing Proactive Unit based at Abingdon Police Station. As the retrial began in June, new jurors were placed 2m (6ft 6in) apart, while members of the press and the public followed proceedings on monitors in neighbouring courtrooms. Peter Wallis dialled 999 to say he could see "four masked men" brandishing weapons. 'He was barely alive and PC Harper died soon after where he lay in Ufton Lane in the company of fellow officers who had tried desperately to save him. PC Harper death: Officer recalls 'gruesome discovery' of colleague's body, A quad bike is seen attached to a Seat car which was stopped by PC Andrew Harper. On Wednesday, a jury in their retrial retraced the route the thieves took, walking the final leg across the A4 to view the place where PC Harper died. Police community pay tribute to Thames Valley officer Andrew Harper killed in Berkshire, Police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty, She added: "The circumstances as to how Andrew came to be out of his vehicle and then caught under the suspect vehicle is unknown.". He was dragged for. [15] With the quad bike no longer attached, the suspects drove south-east on Lambden's Hill with Harper "lassoed" to the rear of the SEAT vehicle. The series of events that led to the "gruesome discovery" of PC Andrew Harper lying injured on a country lane has been played out to a court. 'But the prosecution case is that it must have been very quickly clear to Henry Long, who was after all at the wheel of the car, that the vehicle was now dragging somebody behind it.'. "I love and miss him daily with every passing moment. Pc Harper and his crew mate Pc Andrew Shaw responded to Mr Walliss report, even though their shift had ended. (3) Bowers and Cole's applications for permission to appeal against their convictions. "Broken, distraught, beaten, a void, an empty shell. PC Andrew Harper, 28, was responding to a burglary report on Thursday in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when he was dragged along the road by a vehicle. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. At 11.17pm on August 15 last. Harper, the passenger of the BMW, alighted the police vehicle and ran to the suspects' vehicle. Grieving officers lay tributes for killed newlywed colleague Pc Andrew Harper. "That's the reason in particular this question defeats me - unless you have stood in my shoes, lost a soulmate, a beloved partner you intended to spend your life with - how is this grief possible to describe? The 'endless loop' tow rope, which Pc Harper got caught in, had been re-attached to the rear of the Seat for the jury to see. 'Of one thing the prosecution will say you can be sure is this: at whatever the cost, these three defendants were quite determined that they should get away without being caught.'. YESTERDAY'S LISTS. Pc Harper was pulled. The Seat driver, Henry Long, 19, and passengers Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, from near Reading, are charged with his murder. Deborah Adlam spoke after her son's killers Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, where convicted of manslaughter, saying she now has "no motivation" in life. As the documentary recalled. POLICE detectives have revealed the cause of death of PC Andrew Harper following the murder investigation which launched on Thursday night (August 15). Instead, he came across what turned out to be PC Harper's stab vest in the road, which had been torn from him. But he said there would have been nothing from the appearance of the BMW to tell the defendants that there were two police officers inside. It's clear he has a catastrophic series of injuries and there's nothing that can be done for him.". Detective Supt Ailsa Kent added: "I can confirm that the males were arrested from a local authority-run caravan and mobile home site, Four Houses Corner, in Reading Road near Burghfield Common. Three teenagers are on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murder over an incident in Berkshire last August. Lists of casualties sustained by the New Zealand forces in the recent fighting on the western front were telegraphed b Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, said he had received messages from members of the public whom PC Harper had helped. Joe Middleton For Mailonline, Russian pro-war fanatic warns Britain could be 'wiped off the map'. Homeowner Peter Wallis called 999 to report a group stealing his quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, at 11.17pm on 15 August last year. Chef, Sarah and Harry.". NSW ZEALAND CASUALTIES. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. I sincerely hope that IF convicted the judge involved throws the book at him and jails him for the rest of his life. PC Andrew Shaw can be seen steering the vehicle in reverse while flashing blue lights before his colleague comes into view in the BMW's rear window. PC Harper slid and lost his footing 'as if while water ski-ing' before being whipped forward by his ankles, prosecutors claim. Now they've been jailed for a combined total of 15 years, Former Man Utd striker unrecognisable with big bushy white beard in pub snap with fan, Fan can't get over the former Manchester United star's new look after the goalscoring legend was spotted rocking a wispy white beard and long-flowing hair while sipping a pint, Hairy Bikers stars Si King and Dave Myers leave fans devastated with sad update, The Hairy Bikers were back on our screens with their hit BBC series Go Local this month amid Dave Myers ongoing cancer battle but had some sad news to share with fans, James May says he's having 'difficult time' as co-star Jeremy Clarkson 'axed' from Prime, Jeremy Clarkson was axed from Amazon Prime after vile comments he made about Meghan Markle, with his Grand Tour co-stars James May and Richard Hammond left in the lurch, Mick Schumacher posts new Twitter snap with dad Michael as he continues health battle, Mick Schumacher has shared a heart-warming snap of himself as a youngster with his father Michael who recently celebrated a 54th birthday amid a health battle, Tennis star said that appearing in X-rated OnlyFans video was 'biggest regret of his life', Bernard Tomic is an Australian tennis star who once reached the quarter finals at Wimbledon, but his career hasn't been short of controversy away from the court, 'World's sexiest woman' Paige Spiranac makes 'never-before-seen' promise to fans, The fans spoke, and Paige Spiranac seemingly listened after launching a dedicated subscription site, where she'll finally provide much-desired content like "never-before-seen photos" and bra tutorials, Liam Smith working with Phil Foden's speed coach to make him sharper vs Chris Eubank Jr, EXCLUSIVE: Liam Smith has been working with the speed guru who helped Manchester City ace Phil Foden find his feet as he prepares for his bout with Chris Eubank Jr, Horse trainer William Haggas flusters female awards presenter with 'pyjamas' comment, William Haggas has an outstanding reputation amongst the horse racing community, but he may well have tainted it slightly with his cringe worthy pyjamas comment to a female awards presenter, DEATHSTAR OF SPOONS: 'I went to Megaspoons with beaches and discount Stella you enter with 10 and leave in ambulance', World's biggest Wetherspoons is a pilgrimage for cheap pint fans thanks to its beach terrace and a chaise lounge, Tennis star said that appearing in X-rated adult video was 'biggest regret of his life', Chilling CCTV shows moment Brit 'incel' mass killer stalks streets armed with shotgun, Apprentice crane operator Jake Davison went on a killing rampage with a pump-action shotgun, killing five people including a three-year-old girl - CCTV shows him leaving home after first killing his mum, UK's stinkiest place revealed as city receives nearly 1k smell complaints in a year, Stoke-on-Trent council received a whopping 860 smell complaints in just one year making it the smelliest place in the UK. He was a rapid response officer with the force's roads and traffic command. Sense of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover. She said the teenagers who were found not guilty of murder "took more than one life away that day, they stole the person I used to be". (2) Long's application for permission to appeal against his sentence; and Bungling helicopter pilot blows over stadium roof injuring eight, BBC Breakfast celebrates forty years of hilarious bloopers, Ken Bruce will be joining the Greatest Hits Radio family in April, As it happened: UK Government blocks Scotland's new gender law, Royal Family will find it 'impossible' to compromise with Sussexes, Extinction Rebellion douse the Home Office building in black paint, Harrowing moment woman begs father not to kill himself, Motorists slowly drive down snowy hill in treacherous conditions, Shamima Begum never considered turning back during journey to ISIS, Kamala opts out of kneeling with Biden for Warriors photo op. All three were standing trial for murder, but the jury found them guilty. ", Police 'shocked and saddened' Video, 00:03:06Police 'shocked and saddened', Slough's SEND service: "Slow & steady" progress to tackle failings, Here's when new Thai restaurant will open in Bracknell town centre, Police step in to move on illegal encampment at Reading industrial estate, Increase in number of people being given disabled parking in Bracknell after review, Businesses and residents 'absolutely furious' over Broadway car park closure, councillor says, Holocaust Memorial Day to be marked by documentary about local hero, Ukrainian ministers killed in helicopter crash, We need to end this war, says Zelensky, after fatal helicopter crash, Iran man who beheaded wife jailed for eight years. In July 2020, three teenage males were found guilty of manslaughter and received sentences of 16 and 13 years imprisonment. 13:30 EST 01 Jul 2020 Widow Mrs Harper told the court: "This is my third attempt at writing a statement. For the first time, jurors heard the details of PC Harper's brutal killing - many of which were too graphic for publication. Harper and a fellow officer were responding to a report of a burglary, after which Harper was dragged behind a car down a country road, making him to sustain injuries that led to his death . PC Andrew Harper: Teenage driver who killed police officer should have been given life term, attorney general says Henry Long was driving the vehicle that dragged the 28-year-old to his death on a rural road in Berkshire last year. Mr Wallis told the Thames Valley Police operator: "I've got four masked men outside my house and they've got weapons. Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay pointed out two CCTV cameras attached to the closed village pub, which had a Union flag flying on the front bearing the message Thank You NHS. Harper's killing led to the passing of Harper's Law, which introduced a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for anyone convicted of killing emergency workers. "He was clearly a man who, in his short time, touched many lives," Mr Barber added. PC Harper's widow Lissie described being in "a lost and endless world" after her husband was killed in the line of duty, a month after their wedding day. Following a pause, he continued: F*** me, theyve already taken it.. But they're not taking my damn bike. As Long drove around the police car to escape, PC Harper got out of his vehicle and tried to apprehend Cole, who had unhitched the bike and was running behind the Seat driven by Long. His uncle Dale Shrimpton posted: "He's my oldest Nephew. It looked like a rag doll.". The coronavirus outbreak prompted the first trial to be stopped in late March. Police release update on PC Andrew Harpers death, READ MORE: Murder investigation launched as policeman killed in line of duty, READ MORE: Family release image of newlywed policeman PC Harper, READ MORE: Police raid travellers' site as part of murder probe. Along with colleague. It's clear he has a catastrophic series of injuries and there's nothing that can be done for him.". Long has admitted manslaughter but denies intending to harm the 28-year-old officer. He then learned that another officer had reported a "body in the road" near the A4. At 11.17pm on August 15 last year, homeowner Peter Wallis called 999 to report thieves making off with his quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire. ", After a pause, he adds: "F*** me they've already taken it.". Mr Laidlaw said the defendants attached a strap between their SEAT Toledo and the handlebars of the quad bike. Finally, our thoughts remain with Andrews friends, family and colleagues.. [22] A second 17-year-old male was also later arrested. Reply 21 13 slipperman GCM Earlier in the trial, last month, prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw QC described the moment PC Harper becaame entangled in the tow rope. The teenagers soon found themselves face to face with PC Harper and PC Andrew Shaw, who were in an unmarked police BMW. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the day's top stories sent directly to you. 'The three, effectively acting together as one, were determined to make good their escape at whatever the cost and regardless of the harm that anybody standing in their way may come to.'. Follows the tireless campaigning of PC Andrew Harper's family Named after PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty in 2019, the law will introduce mandatory life sentences. It was a decision that would cost PC Harper his life. Jurors in the PC Andrew Harper murder case were today shown the alleged quad bike thieves' battered Seat with a tow rope that dragged the officer to his death. By A MAN has been charged with the murder of PC Andrew Harper as he investigated a burglary in Berkshire last week. Read about our approach to external linking. [37], On 4 August, the Attorney General's Office confirmed that it had received a request to review the sentences under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. PC Shaw told jurors: "I thought maybe he slipped on something. Mrs Adlam said her "first born had been ripped" from her, adding: "I haven't been able to work for fear of breaking down, my mind just isn't in the right place, my anxiety is overpowering. The prosecutor said Pc Andrew Shaw, Pc Andrew Harper's colleague, 'quickly realised something was very wrong' when PC Harper disappeared from view while trying to apprehend the suspect. I just knew he was in trouble.". He said: 'The snaking trail of marks, abrasion and scuff marks, blood and body matter left behind on the road surface, as well as the clothing that was ripped from PC Harper as he was dragged to his death, illustrates that a deliberate attempt was made to dislodge him from the strap. They were acquitted on the charge of murder. You obviously did your best to attend to Pc Harper. The trio had been undeterred by the presence of the homeowner when they returned to Privett House hours later, the court heard. Colleagues of PC Andrew Harper will be giving evidence on day four of his murder trial at the Old Bailey. Eyewitness Jack Whittenham, who had been driving on the A4, described seeing Pc Harper's body being dragged on the road and hitting the curb, before he became detached from the Seat. At the time of the killing last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the officer's death was "the most powerful reminder that police officers up and down the country put themselves at risk every single day to keep us safe". Colleagues only realised it was one of their own who had been killed due to his police uniform, prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw QC said. "He was the loveliest person that you will ever meet. So proud of him. Long has admitted to manslaughter and denies trying to harm PC Harper. In the weeks following, PC Harper's widow and family members led a "Ride of Respect" involving thousands of motorcyclists, while 20,000 epaulettes and badges from around the world were used to create a 55ft (17m) long mural. Chilling footage from the police car played to jurors showed the moment PC Harper left the vehicle to chase the thief. Mark White Home affairs correspondent @skymarkwhite Monday 30 November 2020 17:47, UK You can be satisfied I am now a shadow of the person I once was. In the next 15 seconds Cole removed the loop of strapping from the handlebars of the quad bike, Mr Laidlaw told the court. I quickly realised it was a person. Their sentences in respect of the manslaughter convictions were not altered. Oh, they are stealing my quad bike, Im going out there now., The operator told him not to go out, but Mr Wallis said: I dont care, Ive got to protect that bike., The operator said officers were on their way, adding: You cant go out there if theyve got a weapon, you are going to be hurt., He responds: Theres all sorts of pieces of wood out there, they can pick up anything. Homeowner Peter Wallis called 999 to report a group stealing his quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, at 11.17pm on 15 August last year. Media reported that in total, 10 males aged between 13 and 30 had been arrested. It looked like a rag doll.". PC Andrew Harper, 28, was responding to a burglary report on Thursday in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when he was dragged along the road by a vehicle. Forces up and down the land held a minute's silence for "Harps", who was described as a "dearly loved and respected colleague", who was a "hero". Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. On the night of 15 August 2019, PC Harper responded with a colleague to a 999 call about a quad bike theft, despite it being four hours past the end of their shifts. 21:19 EST 01 Jul 2020. [12] The post mortem also showed that Harper had sustained a "very severe" brain injury;[23] a pathologist stated that it was likely Harper lost consciousness when he fell to the ground. RIP mate, love you. The jury was shown footage of the incident, recorded on a camera attached to the officers' unmarked police car. In respect of our investigation, we are interviewing those in custody, carrying out house to house enquiries, obtaining and reviewing CCTV footage, undertaking forensic examination, and taking witness statements.". The A4 Bath road was also closed again yesterday (August 17) while police officers carried out searches. It looked like a rag doll.. The 28-year-old was killed when he was dragged behind a car. But while his colleagues mourned the death of one of their own, detectives were required to push emotions aside for the murder investigation. Since his death, Lissie has launched the Harper's Law campaign in memory of her husband - a new law that would see those who kill emergency workers jailed for life. My God we will miss you. 'Tragically, at that very moment and still in the act of chasing Jessie Cole down, PC Harper must have quite unwittingly stepped, with both feet, into the loop made of the strapping trailed behind the SEAT. PC Andrew Harper was killed in Berkshire on Thursday, Police officers have been at a caravan site near to the scene where PC Harper was killed, Tributes to PC Harper have been laid at the scene, One message described PC Harper as "Thames Valley's finest", PC Harper got married to his fiance Lissie just four weeks ago. Deborah Adlam, the mother of PC Andrew Harper, said her first-born had been "ripped" from her, PC Andrew Harper was killed by three teenagers trying to steal a quad bike, Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Andrew Harper, Lissie and Andrew had been married for just one month when he was killed, PC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie, celebrating their wedding, (left to right), Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were convicted of manslaughter. [7][8] They had been expecting to go on their honeymoon in mid-August. In the first brief comments from the family, Philip Harper said: "We're absolutely devastated and we're in a bad place.". [12][18] The SEAT crossed the A4 into Ufton Lane near Sulhamstead, and Harper became disentangled. [30] During this subsequently abandoned trial, Thames Valley Police said they had received intelligence suggesting possible jury intimidation. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. He was just 28 years of age. Its clear he has a catastrophic series of injuries and theres nothing that can be done for him.. [48] Harper's Law did not affect the sentences of the three men already imprisoned for killing Andrew Harper.[50]. The first stop was the Bull Inn, where the defendants were allegedly spotted before a first failed attempt to steal the quad bike. [37], On 19 August 2020, Bowers and Cole made applications for permission to appeal against their convictions for manslaughter, and against the sentences that they had received. I have no motivation or even daily routine - chores or cooking a meal, it just feels pointless now. Something went wrong, please try again later. The officer on duty with PC Harper was not physically injured but is being given emotional support, Thames Valley Police said. On 15 August 2019, 28-year-old English police constable Andrew Harper was killed near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, England in the line of duty. Detective Superintendent Ailsa Kent of the Major Crime Unit said: Our complex investigation into the death of PC Andrew Harper continues and I want to take this opportunity to provide an update. PC Harper had been dragged for more than a mile for 91 seconds, at an average speed of 42.5mph, before his body was dislodged. It was a killing that sparked tributes across the world and an "outpouring of love" for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty.