Half a Million Back Life Sentences for Killers of Emergency Workers
An online petition demanding that anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker serve a life sentence has smashed through 500,000 signatures.
Lissie Harper, widow of PC Andrew Harper, will meet Home Secretary Priti Patel this month to push for “Harper’s Law” – life behind bars for anyone who kills a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, prison officer or paramedic.
Tragic Death of PC Andrew Harper Sparks Outcry
PC Andrew Harper was brutally killed on 15 August last year after being dragged 1.4 miles behind a car at an average speed of 42.5 mph.
After a homeowner called 999 to report three masked raiders stealing a quad bike, PC Harper and colleague PC Andrew Shaw raced to the scene.
The trio – Henry Long, Jesse Cole, and Albert Bowers – tried to escape towing a stolen £10,000 quad bike. PC Harper leapt from the patrol car and chased the suspects, but his ankle got caught in a stolen crane strap.
Long, Bowers, and Cole were convicted of manslaughter, but thanks to sentence ‘discounts’, they could be free in under ten years.
Widow Lissie Harper Demands Tougher Laws
“We are calling for #HarpersLaw. It means anyone found guilty of killing an emergency worker would be jailed for life,” Lissie said.
“When emergency services workers are killed on duty, it strikes at the heart of our democracy.
“We ask these heroes to protect us. Society must offer them the highest protection in return.”
“Harper’s Law would provide a powerful deterrent and proper punishment. The law must change. We want to work with the Government, all politicians, and the British public.
“We must protect the protectors. That is why we need Harper’s Law.”
Road to Justice Still Unfinished
Lissie, who had been married to PC Harper just over four weeks before his death, said the public support has been overwhelming.
“I am stunned, delighted and incredibly thankful to all,” she said.
The sentences for the three men have now been referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme.
