A TOP cop who brought PC Andrew Harper’s killers to justice says freeing them will “drive a stake” into the UK’s justice system – and urged Andy Burnham to keep them behind bars.
Former Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik worked tirelessly for months to ensure then-teenagers Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were locked up in 2020.
PC Andrew Harper, 28, was killed on duty in August 2019 Credit: PA
PC Harper’s killers Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole smirking as they are led away in cuffs Credit: The Jattvibe
The trio were fleeing the scene of a quad bike theft near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, on August 15 2019 when PC Harper, 28, became caught in a crane strap attached to the bike resulting in his being dragged for more than a mile.
Veteran Thames Valley Police officer Mr Blaik was bewildered to learn Cole and Bowers – jailed for 13 years – could be released as early as January, just halfway through their sentence, as part of Labour’s soft justice scheme.
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As the government looks to reduce the pressure on the overstretched prison system, thousands of lags convicted of manslaughter, sex offences and domestic abuse could be freed from October 1 as part of the landmark Sentencing Act 2026.
Mr Blaik told The Jattvibe he was “appalled”, adding: “I understand the difficulties and the decisions that the government has to make around the growing prison population.
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Former Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik, pictured in 2017, led the investigation
PC Harper’s mum Deborah Adlam received a letter from the MoJ last month suggesting her son’s killers might be released early Credit: PA
“I just urge the government to do the right thing, which is to make sure that those really serious cases don’t form part of that early release scheme.”
Following a national outcry, new PM Andy Burnham has vowed he will do all in his power to ensure PC Harper’s killers are not among those let out early, having ordered a review into the scheme – with a petition launched by TVP opposing their early release having already surpassed a million signatures.
Mr Blaik, 55, left the force following the conclusion of the Harper case and subsequent Home Office commendations in February 2023 after 31 years.
He said he found out about the potential early release of Cole and Bowers, both 24, from PC Harper’s heartbroken mum Deborah, who’d received a letter from the Ministry of Justice.
Mr Blaik worked for Thames Valley Police for 31 years Credit: Pro Co. Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may b
Since leaving the force, Mr Blaik is now a product manager for BlackRainbow Credit: Stuart Blaik
“The whole of Andrew’s family are just completely dumbfounded as to how we’ve got into this particular situation,” he explained.
“It just shows incredible disrespect to Andrew and his family, but it also shows disrespect for the criminal justice process… it kind of drives a stake through all of that.”
He said manslaughter charges sit on a broad spectrum – with PC Harper’s killers being on the cusp of meeting the threshold for murder.
“There probably aren’t many cases of manslaughter that are as serious as that… which just makes it even more important that the government make the right decision.”
PC Harper had married childhood sweetheart Lissie four weeks before his death Credit: Supplied as a technical service. No is implied or inferred.
PC Harper’s killers Henry Long, Cole and Bowers were jailed in 2020 Credit: PA
He added: “It’s just ridiculous.”
The retired cop went on to say: “If Bowers and Cole were to be released early, who’s going to be taking their positions in prison?
“Is it somebody that’s been involved in something as serious as that? I don’t know.”
He added: “They’ve been sentenced by a very senior high court judge who went through a detailed sentencing process. And his words were that they should serve 13 years…
Prime Minister Andy Burnham ordered a review into the early release scheme Credit: PA
Police officers and PC Harper’s mum Deborah paying their respects at the site near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, where the officer was killed Credit: PA
“Nothing has changed in relation to that statement other than the prison population’s growth.”
Mr Blaik said he has remained in contact with PC Harper’s family, including mum Deborah and childhood sweetheart Lissie, who had married the tragic cop four weeks before he was killed.
He said: “I’m just very conscious of the fact that when I speak to them, I’m taking them back to the very lowest point in their lives.
“I do keep in contact with them, but I try to limit it… I don’t want to impose on them.”
Asked about the night PC Harper died, Mr Blaik said: “I remember it very well.”
As a duty senior officer for the whole force that Thursday evening, he said he got a call at 11.42pm – seven minutes after the officer had been confirmed dead.
“I was involved with it pretty much from the very start,” he continued.
“It was hugely complex because of the circumstances surrounding it…
“It’s one of those cases that I’ll never forget for obvious reasons.”
A Government spokesperson said: “The death of PC Andrew Harper was a horrific crime. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we understand the depth of public concern about the potential release of those involved.
“We do not believe these offenders should be let out a day before they were due to, and the Prime Minister has asked the Justice Secretary to urgently fast track a plan to keep a greater number of the most serious offenders, including these individuals, locked up.
“Thanks to tireless campaigning by Andrew’s family, Harper’s Law means that anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker whilst committing a crime now gets a mandatory life sentence.
“This Government has gone further by introducing a presumption that anyone convicted of murdering a police, prison or probation officer is handed a whole-life order.”
