PC Andrew Harper: The routine call that ended in tragedy
On the evening of 15th August 2019, PC Andrew Harper responded to a report of a stolen quad bike near Sulhamstead, Berkshire. The 28-year-old had been married to his childhood sweetheart for just four weeks, and had been looking forward to his honeymoon.
He would not survive the shift. Andrew was killed that same evening, dragged behind a fleeing vehicle during what should have been a routine call-out.
What happened that night, and the campaign his widow fought in his memory, changed British law. Now, nearly seven years on, the case has returned to the headlines for the most painful of reasons.
Crime+Investigation examines the events of that evening, the trial that followed, and what the prospect of early release for Andrew's killers meant for those who loved him.
Dragged to his death
Shortly after 11pm, officers received reports that a quad bike had been stolen from a rural property. Harper and a colleague were among those sent to investigate. As they arrived, they spotted a SEAT Toledo towing the stolen quad bike along country roads using a long tow rope.
As the vehicle attempted to escape, Andrew got out of the police car and tried to stop it.
The tow rope became entangled around Andrew's ankle, dragging him behind the speeding car for more than a mile along dark country lanes. The officer suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency responders.
The three teenagers occupying the car – Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole – continued driving before abandoning the vehicle and attempting to flee.
The arrest and trial
Police launched an immediate manhunt. Within hours, officers had identified and arrested the three suspects, who were all teenagers at the time of the incident. Investigators quickly established that they had been involved in stealing the quad bike and had tried to escape even after realising a police officer had become caught behind their vehicle.
During the trial at the Old Bailey, prosecutors argued that the defendants must have known Andrew was being dragged behind the car. The prosecution said they had continued driving regardless, reaching speeds of around 60mph along narrow roads.
The defence argued that the teenagers had panicked and had not realised the full extent of what had happened. In July 2020, the jury cleared all three of murder.
Henry Long, who had been driving the car, had already admitted manslaughter. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were also convicted of manslaughter, along with conspiracy to steal the quad bike.
Sentences that sparked debate
What followed prompted important public debate about the laws surrounding sentencing for killing an emergency worker.
Henry Long was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole each received 13-year sentences.
Harper’s Law
Channelling her grief into campaigning, Lissie Harper created Harper's Law to ensure Andrew's death is never forgotten
The law came into force in 2022, and her efforts landed her an MBE. The legislation introduced mandatory life sentences for offenders convicted of the manslaughter of an emergency worker who is killed while responding to another criminal offence unless there are exceptional circumstances.
While Harper’s Law was widely welcomed, it was, sadly for Andrew Harper’s family, not retrospective. That meant it did not affect the sentences already handed to Andrew Harper's killers.
Andrew Harper’s killers: early release in 2026 fears
In 2026, Andrew Harper's case once again become the focus of national attention.
Under proposed changes linked to the government's plans to address prison overcrowding, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole had been identified as potentially eligible for earlier release than originally expected. Henry Long's longer sentence meant he would not qualify under the same provisions.
The news has prompted a strong reaction from Andrew's family, policing organisations and politicians.
Lissie Harper described the prospect as ‘deplorable’, while Andrew's mother, Debbie Adlam, said it felt like ‘another letdown for Andrew’. Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg also expressed concern, saying the possibility of their release would be deeply upsetting for Andrew's loved ones and colleagues.
In the end, it was announced that Bowers and Cole would not be eligible for release as part of the scheme.
For more on the cases that have shaped British law and policing, sign up to the Crime+Investigation newsletter. Every week, you'll receive the latest articles, episodes and more from C+I delivered straight to your inbox.
