Attorney General refers to the sentences of PC Andrew Harper’s killers to the Court of Appeal

The Attorney General has sent the sentences of Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole to the Court of Appeal as she thinks they are too low.

August 21, The Attorney General, Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, has referred the sentences of Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The offenders were convicted of the manslaughter of PC Harper and were sentenced at the Old Bailey on 31 July. PC Harper suffered fatal injuries when his ankles got caught in a strap trailing behind a vehicle driven by Henry Long on 15 August 2019.

Henry Long, 19, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment. Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, were sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking about the case, the Attorney General 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.

A date for the hearing at the Court of Appeal is yet to be set.