{
  "id": 250893,
  "title": "Officer who led PC Harper investigation 'appalled' killers could be released early",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/officer-who-led-pc-harper-investigation-appalled-killers-could-be",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T05:00:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q9erpz953o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PC Andrew Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, has expressed her dismay over the prospect of two killers becoming eligible for early release. PC Harper, 28, died in 2019 after being dragged behind a getaway car during a quad bike theft. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for his manslaughter, will be released next year under government plans to address prison overcrowding. Former Det Sup Stuart Blaik, who led the investigation into PC Harper's death, told BBC Breakfast he finds the prospect deeply concerning and appalled. Neither Cole nor Bowers showed remorse during their time in police custody or trial. Blaik hopes the government considers the public's strong and widespread feelings on the matter. The government plans to exclude those guilty of rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences from early release, but not those convicted of manslaughter. Cole and Bowers received 13-year sentences for Harper's manslaughter, which would allow them release after serving half their sentences.",
  "summary": "The senior investigating officer in the PC Andrew Harper case has expressed deep concern over the prospect of two killers becoming eligible for early release. PC Harper, 28, died tragically in 2019 after being dragged behind a getaway car by three teenagers who had fled the scene of a quad bike theft. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper, will be eligible to be released next year under revised government plans to tackle prison overcrowding. PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, has joined a growing number of people calling for Cole and Bowers to be denied early release, stating that they showed no remorse during their time in police custody or during their trial. Former Det Sup Stuart Blaik, who led the Thames Valley Police investigation, has publicly shared his views on the issue for the first time, stating that he is deeply concerned and appalled by the prospect of Cole and Bowers being considered for early release.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}