Attorney General refers Pc Andrew Harper's killers' sentences to Court of Appeal

Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were convicted of manslaughter. Credit: PA

The Attorney General Suella Braverman has referred the sentences of Pc Andrew Harper’s killers Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Bowers and Cole, both 18, have already lodged applications with the Court of Appeal seeking permission to challenge their convictions and their 13-year sentences for manslaughter.

ITV News Correspondent Sejal Karia was at the Court of Appeal:

Long, who was jailed for 16 years for his part in the killing, has not appealed his sentence.

They were jailed for killing Pc Harper as they fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Berkshire in August last year.

Mrs Braverman said: “This was a horrific crime which resulted in the death of a much-respected police officer while he was on-duty, protecting his community.

“Having personally considered the details of this shocking case, I have decided to refer the sentences of Pc Andrew Harper’s killers to the Court of Appeal.

“Attacks made against emergency workers will not be tolerated and offenders should be punished with the greatest severity for such heinous crimes.”

Pc Harper's family have started a campaign to jail for life those who kill police officers or other emergency workers.

  • Andrew Harper's mother Debbie Adlam explains why she is calling for sentencing reform

Pc Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, said: “This is great news and we thank the Attorney General for her swift decision.

“The sentences for Andrew’s killers did not match their heinous crime.

“It was not justice and it needs to be addressed. Police officers need to be properly protected by the judicial system. And there must be appropriate punishments for those who would kill police officers."

Andrew and Lissie had been married for just four weeks before he was killed. Credit: Thames Valley Police/PA

After the sentence last month, Mrs Harper described the sentence as disappointing, adding: "I now have my own life sentence to bear".

Pc Andrew Harper's mother Debbie Adlam said that she was pleased that the Attorney General took the "important step" of referring the sentences to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

She said: “My family and I know that the whole nation stands with us in outrage at the sentences handed down to my son’s killers.

“We can only hope that a fairer outcome is reached by the Court of Appeal to deliver the justice that Andrew deserves.

“As a family we will not stop campaigning until our blue light heroes are safer as they step out each and every day to protect us as a society.”