Teenagers found guilty of killing PC Andrew Harper

Three teenagers have been found guilty of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, who died after being dragged along a road by a car in Berkshire in August 2019.

Henry Long, 19, the driver, and his passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were found not guilty of murder at the Old Bailey but were found guilty of manslaughter.

The defendants heard the jury’s verdicts over video-link due to problems with a prison van preventing them from being in court. The trio hugged and held each other’s hands when they were cleared of murder, but Bowers cried out when he learned he had been convicted of manslaughter.

Both Long and Cole became very distressed, with Long apparently in tears and having to be comforted by his co-defendants. Bowers, however, could be seen smiling and patting the other two in an attempt to cheer them up.

The three face years in jail.

The jury heard that Harper, 28, was killed on 15 August 2019 after he tried to catch Long and his accomplices after they stole a quad bike.

Harper, 28, became entangled in a tow rope attached to the teenagers’ Seat Toledo as he tried to apprehend them.

Long drove off at “breakneck” speed, dragging the Thames Valley police officer for more than a mile along country lanes before he was dislodged, having suffered horrific injuries.

The teenagers, who the court was told were determined to escape “at all costs”, admitted plotting the theft. Long pleaded guilty to manslaughter but each denied knowing PC Harper was there. Their defence claimed the incident was a “freak event” that none of them could have planned or foreseen.

The prosecution said at more than 6ft and weighing 14 stone, the defendants must have been aware PC Harper was being dragged to his death.

A reconstruction suggested that rather than stopping, Long swerved in the road to try to throw him off. Jurors also saw dashcam footage that appeared to catch the moment Cole turned towards the officer before diving through the window of the getaway car and making good his escape.

Harper’s widow, Lissie, was comforted by family members in court as the verdicts were read out.

Mr Justice Edis adjourned sentencing until next Friday.

It can now be reported that Long had previously threatened to “ram” a police officer as he chatted with a police community support officer (PCSO).

In the conversation in July 2018, ruled inadmissible during the trial, Long said: “You can’t touch me now ‘cos I’ve passed my driving test and if police try to stop me I will ram them.”