50 Police Chiefs Urge Burnham to Block PC Harper Killers' January Release
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 11
50 Police Chiefs Urge Burnham to Block PC Harper Killers' January Release
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 11
Summary
Fifty police chiefs from across the UK urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to use every legal option to stop Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers being freed in January.
The appeal follows changes to the Sentencing Act that make the two men—jailed for 13 years for manslaughter in 2020—eligible for release after serving half their terms under an overcrowding relief scheme.
Their letter also pressed the government to weigh the gravity of crimes, public protection and victim impact before shortening custody, especially in cases involving death or serious violence.
Around 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released under the scheme, though exemptions already cover rape, child sex offences and grooming; driver Henry Long is excluded because he received a 16-year extended sentence.
PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, said a Downing Street call gave her hope but not certainty, while renewing her push to exempt killers of emergency workers from early release.