Police officer’s widow ‘immensely disappointed’ after teenage killers cleared of murder

Tributes have been paid to Pc Andrew Harper’s “bravery” and “sacrifice”, following the conviction of three teenagers over his brutal death as he investigated a crime.
By Aine Fox
Published 24th Jul 2020, 20:26 BST
Updated 24th Jul 2020, 20:38 BST
Lissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, outside the Old Bailey in London, after driver Henry Long, 19, who dragged Pc Andrew Harper to his death, was found not guilty of murder but had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and his passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.Lissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, outside the Old Bailey in London, after driver Henry Long, 19, who dragged Pc Andrew Harper to his death, was found not guilty of murder but had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and his passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.
Lissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, outside the Old Bailey in London, after driver Henry Long, 19, who dragged Pc Andrew Harper to his death, was found not guilty of murder but had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and his passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.

The 28-year-old was described as a “brave hero”, killed while doing his job.

The conviction of Henry Long, 19, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, for manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey, brings “some justice”, Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Pc Harper’s widow Lissie, speaking outside court, said she was “immensely disappointed” by the verdict, after the jury cleared the trio of murder.

Describing him as a “beautiful, loving, decent human being”, she said her new life without him would be “a lot more painful” and “soul destroying” than that of anyone facing a “meagre number of years” in jail.

Chief Constable Campbell paid tribute to Pc Harper’s family, saying: “They have been through something that no family should ever have to face, but they have shown the most incredible dignity and bravery every step of the way and they have had to do all of this in the public eye.”

He added: “We have some justice for Andrew, but I know nothing will ever take away the sense of loss for those who loved him. None of us will ever forget Andrew Harper’s sacrifice and we are proud to have called him our colleague and our friend.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Craig O’Leary, of Thames Valley Police Federation, said a future which should have consisted of a “loving marriage and a highly successful career” had been taken by “cowardly criminals”.

He added that Thames Valley Police would “never forget Andrew or his bravery that night”.