PC Harper Killers Still Eligible for Early Release

The mother of murdered police officer PC Andrew Harper has said she is "devastated" after learning that two of his killers remain eligible for early release under England's revised prison overcrowding scheme.

The UK government announced on Monday that prisoners convicted of rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences would be excluded from the scheme aimed at tackling prison overcrowding. Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged he "wanted to go even further" but warned that doing so could risk the collapse of the prison system.

Family's Anguish

PC Harper, 28, was killed in 2019 when he was dragged by a car down a country road in Berkshire as three teenagers fled after stealing a quad bike. Henry Long, the driver, received a 16-year sentence and is not eligible for early release. However, passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, each sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter, would become eligible after serving half their terms.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Debbie Adlam said: "It feels like we're letting Andrew down again. We've been through the justice system, we thought we'd done as best as we could. Now we're standing up to fight again."

Government Response

Justice Secretary Alex Norris personally called Adlam to explain and apologise. She vowed to continue fighting: "I could not sit back and do nothing." Her son's case has fuelled national debate over the balance between prison capacity pressures and justice for victims of violent crime.