Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, Sentenced to 13 Years for Manslaughter in 2020, Could Be Released After Serving Half Their Terms

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said he will consider joining legal action to block the early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers. Hogg told the BBC he was in discussions with the Police Federation of England and Wales, noting public opinion on the potential release was "overwhelming. PC Harper died in 2019 after being dragged by a car in Berkshire.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in 2020, could be released after serving half their terms. Driver Henry Long, sentenced to 16 years, is not eligible. Hogg urged the government to reconsider, saying "people responsible for taking the life of another citizen... should not be released early.

The government's early release scheme, starting in October, excludes murder, rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences but includes manslaughter. Aileen O'Connor of Thames Valley Police Federation said her organisation was considering legal action. Sentencing Minister Jake Richards said it would be wrong to pick out individual cases, confirming manslaughter is not excluded.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris warned of a prison capacity crisis, with 5,000 extra releases in 10 batches from October and about 1,000 prisoners now excluded. An extra £10m will fund victim support services.