PC Harper’s mum tells of agony at watching his remorseless teen killers laugh and joke in court
THE mum of PC Andrew Harper has spoken today of her agony at watching his killers laugh and joke in court. Debbie Adlam was asked if her opinion of her son’s killers would be different if they showed remorse. “I think I would, we’ve watched them laughing, joking,” she told Good Morning Britain. “We were […]
THE mum of PC Andrew Harper has spoken today of her agony at watching his killers laugh and joke in court.
Debbie Adlam was asked if her opinion of her son’s killers would be different if they showed remorse.
“I think I would, we’ve watched them laughing, joking,” she told Good Morning Britain.
“We were sat for quite a long time with them on a video screen opposite where we were sat, and they were joking, they were laughing, they were talking to each other, and their microphones weren’t even switched on.
“I don’t really understand how that’s appropriate if you’re in a murder trial, how the suspects don’t have to be listened to… while we’re sat listening to their hideous crimes. It was an insult not to see any remorse.”
PC Harper was killed as he tried to stop three thieves fleeing after they stole a quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, on August 15 last year.
Henry Long, 19, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced for the 28-year-old newlywed’s manslaughter.
NEW CAMPAIGN
Ms Adlam has launched the “Andrew’s Law” campaign – which calls for cop killers to receive tougher jail terms.
She said she was upset at reductions to the sentences given to her son’s killers.
“Personally speaking, the initial sentence was not so much my issue, when I saw the reductions coming off of these sentences it was then becoming just unbelievable how much was taken off,” she said.
“It just didn’t make any sense to me, because an early plea for something where you’re really in a position where you’ve got no choice other than to admit that you’ve done it because its been proven to you, that’s one thing.
“And then the age issue is a big problem for me, and this is part of the reason why were launching Andrew’s Law. We’re just blown away with the response so far.”
Ms Adlam described feeling intense pain every day since her son’s death.
“We can go through all the emotions within a day or two. You can just be at the pits of desperation out of the blue, we get these waves of grief which come along,” she said.
“It’s very hard to focus on getting anything done and feel positive going forward.
“This is hopefully an added benefit on putting some focus towards [Andrew’s Law] because this is all to be done in Andrew’s name but for the benefit of others.”
Ms Adlam said her son would’ve been supportive of a law protecting first responders.
“Andrew’s not lucky enough obviously to benefit from it but I know for a fact the type of person he is, this is something he would fully support,” she said.
“We don’t want to have these long, drawn-out trials where you’re having manslaughter or murder debates.
“He put himself in harm’s way for our benefit, and that’s what the blue light services do, they go out while we’re sat in bed, or watching TV or going out to the pub, they’re out there putting themselves in harm’s way… and that’s why they deserve a bit of extra protection.”
PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, has also launched her own Andrew’s Law campaign calling for full-life prison terms for those who kill emergency services workers.
She said: “I pledge to my late husband to never stop until I have made the difference that this country clearly needs.
“I vow to stand strong and firm with so many other honourable people in our country to make the changes that we clearly know to be justified.”
Lissie shared a new picture of herself and PC Harper as she launched the campaign.
Her cause is being backed by the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents thousands of officers up to the rank of chief inspector.
The three teenagers were convicted of manslaughter over PC Harper’s death, after he responded to a reported burglary.
They were found not guilty of murdering the police officer after the jury had deliberated for almost two days.
Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, hugged each other to the sound of their cheering families as the verdict of not guilty to murder was read out in court.
Bowers and Cole were instead convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter – which Long had previously admitted.
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Long, who was driving the car when the Thames Valley Police officer was dragged to his death while responding to a quad bike theft on August 15, was caged for 16 years.
Bowers and Cole were handed 13 years in prison and banned from driving for two years.
But Attorney General Suella Braverman will now look into whether the jail time handed down was too lenient after a request to review the case.
