In the first brief comments from the family, Philip Harper said: "We're absolutely devastated and we're in a bad place.". As news broke of the 28-year-old's death, a wave of grief and love spread across the country for the officer, who had recently married his childhood sweetheart Lissie. ", After a pause, he adds: "F*** me they've already taken it.". 'With his ankles caught in a strap that was trailing behind a car being driven along a country lane, he was dragged at speed for over a mile along the road surface, swung from side to side like a pendulum in an effort to dislodge him. "I want to be angry that your job took you away from us but I know you loved it and always wanted to keep everyone safe, especially me," she said. Chilling footage from the police car played to jurors showed the moment PC Harper left the vehicle to chase the thief. PC Andrew Harper died a hero in the line of duty. The officer on duty with PC Harper was not physically injured but is being given emotional support, Thames Valley Police said. The pair were childhood sweethearts and had been in a relationship for 13 years. I have no motivation or even daily routine - chores or cooking a meal, it just feels pointless now. "[That] is consistent with our current belief that Andrew was caught between a vehicle and the road and then dragged for a distance.". The trio made off down when PC Harper and PC Shaw confronted them head-on in their unmarked BMW. Mr Justice Edis told them: 'The vehicles have been put in similar positions to the position they would have been in during part of the incident.'. She placed his police helmet on his coffin during a funeral service at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, after colleagues and crowds lined the streets of the city to pay their respects. Subscribe to one or all notification sources from this one place. Judge Mr Justice Edis ruled it necessary to put measures in place to ensure the jury was not intimidated, even though the risk was "low". In respect of our investigation, we are interviewing those in custody, carrying out house to house enquiries, obtaining and reviewing CCTV footage, undertaking forensic examination, and taking witness statements.". [5][28][29], The trial was temporarily suspended on 17 and 18 March as a member of the jury was unwell. Another read: "Such a shocking, mindless, horrific act of brutality. [3] He joined Thames Valley Police's road policing unit approximately six weeks before his death,[3][5] and was based at the force's Abingdon station. Det Supt Blaik said PC Harper "paid the ultimate price" for going beyond the call of duty, but added "that is what police officers do up and down the country, day in and day out". Newlywed Pc Andrew Harper, 28, became entangled in a tow rope attached to their Seat Toledo as he tried to catch them and was dragged to his death. [14][20], At 00:50 on 16 August, police arrested an 18-year-old male and a 17-year-old male at the caravan site. It's clear he has a catastrophic series of injuries and there's nothing that can be done for him.". 'They had thought through and carefully planned the offence. Police release update on PC Andrew Harpers death, READ MORE: Murder investigation launched as policeman killed in line of duty, READ MORE: Family release image of newlywed policeman PC Harper, READ MORE: Police raid travellers' site as part of murder probe. PC Andrew Harper: Prosecutors explain circumstances of death An officer has shared the moment he made the "gruesome discovery" of PC Andrew Harper who was lying gravely injured in a country lane. Mr Laidlaw said the defendants attached a strap between their SEAT Toledo and the handlebars of the quad bike. After being arrested during raids in the early hours of 16 August, the three teenagers denied being involved, before changing their stories when faced with compelling evidence. But they're not taking my damn bike. PC Andrew Harper was "doing no more than his job" when he was dragged for more than a mile to his death after his feet got caught in a strap trailing behind a suspect's getaway car. Detectives investigating the death of a police officer have said he died of "multiple injuries", as they were given more time to question 10 suspects. His grandmother Maureen Shrimpton wrote: "Just a really horrible day. , updated Cole ran directly past the police car and dived through the backseat passenger window after the officer came close to catching him in the interception at around 11.38pm, jurors were told. Lissie broke down twice as she read from her victim impact statement at the Old Bailey. The jury found Bowers and Cole guilty of manslaughter. They then spent half an hour examining the thieves' battered silver Seat parked nose to nose with PC Harper's dark grey police car in a reconstruction of their 'confrontation' in Admoor Lane. PC Andrew Harper was dragged behind a car after responding to a reported quad bike theft in August 2019 (Picture: PA) Henry Long, 19, has admitted the manslaughter of the Thames Valley Police. PC Harper, who would have been knocked unconscious, had suffered horrific injuries and died at the scene. 'I'm afraid PC Harper was killed in truly shocking circumstances,' he said. Earlier in the trial, last month, prosecutor Jonathan Laidlaw QC described the moment PC Harper becaame entangled in the tow rope. "Andrew was such a good man, a brave, a caring person, funny and uplifting. he did not know PC Harper was attached to the vehicle. Pc Harper was pulled. PC Andrew Harper was killed in Berkshire on Thursday, Police officers have been at a caravan site near to the scene where PC Harper was killed, Tributes to PC Harper have been laid at the scene, One message described PC Harper as "Thames Valley's finest", PC Harper got married to his fiance Lissie just four weeks ago. PC Harper death: Officer recalls 'gruesome discovery' of colleague's body, A quad bike is seen attached to a Seat car which was stopped by PC Andrew Harper. PC Harper had been dragged for more than a mile for 91 seconds, at an average speed of 42.5mph, before his body was dislodged. As the documentary recalled. In August 2019, Andrew went to a property in Berkshire to respond to reports of a stolen quad bike, despite it being four hours after his shift was supposed to have finished. Det Supt Kent said it remained unclear how PC Harper "came to be out of his vehicle and then caught under the suspect vehicle". Pc Shaw later discovered his colleague's body. www.bbc.co.uk One charged with his murder. In the call, Mr Wallis added: Theres all sorts of pieces of wood out there, they can pick up anything. A coroner carried out a Post Mortem report to determine the cause of death, which has been recorded as "multiple injuries". She said the 10 boys and men had been arrested at council-run caravan and mobile home site, Four Houses Corner, about three miles from where PC Harper died. The court convoy was flanked by police cars and more officers lined the curb of the busy A4, which was temporarily closed to allow the jury to cross. [36] Harper's MP, John Howell, had said that he intended to ask for a review of the sentences. In July 2020, three teenage males were found guilty of manslaughter and received sentences of 16 and 13 years imprisonment. [15] With the quad bike no longer attached, the suspects drove south-east on Lambden's Hill with Harper "lassoed" to the rear of the SEAT vehicle. [46], In August 2020, Harper's widow launched a campaign for a new law which would require life imprisonment for criminals whose actions result in the death of any police officer, prison officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, or paramedic. Our love goes to his lovely wife, mum and dad, brother and all of his family and friends. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. She confirmed that the arrests were made at a council-run caravan and mobile home site, Four Houses Corner, in Reading Road near Burghfield Common. "He was the loveliest person that you will ever meet. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. In August 2019, PC Andrew Harper was just 28 years old and almost one month in to his marriage to new wife Lissie, the love of his life and his partner for the previous 13 years. It will be obvious to you all that none of the defendants could possibly have intended that that should happen. A group of officers could be seen gathered around floral tributes reading messages to their fallen colleague. [42], Harper's funeral was held on 14 October 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. One tribute, accompanied by an image of PC Harper smiling with a friend, said: "Harps, I am truly gutted. Our love goes to his lovely wife, Mum and Dad, brother and all of his family and friends. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. PC Harper died after being dragged for more than a mile when his ankles became entangled in a tow rope attached to the car driven by Long as he fled the scene of an attempted quad bike theft in. Mrs Harper said her husband was the "kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet". and [24][25] On 19 September, the Crown Prosecution Service said that they had discontinued the case against a fifth defendant, a 20-year-old who had previously been charged with the murder. [41] [39], On 28 August, Long applied for permission to appeal against his sentence, on the basis that it was too severe. This has been impossible for us to get our heads around. Harper and a fellow officer were responding to a report of a burglary, after which Harper was dragged behind a car for a mile at 50 to 70mph, causing his death. Bungling helicopter pilot blows over stadium roof injuring eight, BBC Breakfast celebrates forty years of hilarious bloopers, Ken Bruce will be joining the Greatest Hits Radio family in April, As it happened: UK Government blocks Scotland's new gender law, Royal Family will find it 'impossible' to compromise with Sussexes, Extinction Rebellion douse the Home Office building in black paint, Harrowing moment woman begs father not to kill himself, Motorists slowly drive down snowy hill in treacherous conditions, Shamima Begum never considered turning back during journey to ISIS, Kamala opts out of kneeling with Biden for Warriors photo op. Sense of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover. The victim was likely knocked unconscious from the moment he hit the ground with a post-mortem revealing 'very serious injury to the brain,' the court heard. He said there was no evidence Bowers or Cole attempted to persuade Long to stop the vehicle. A Post Mortem was carried out on Andrews body yesterday, and the cause of death has been recorded as multiple injuries. The Telegraph 2.99M subscribers Three teenagers have been convicted of killing Pc Andrew Harper as they evaded arrest. As Pc Harper tried to apprehend one the suspects, his ankles got caught on a tow rope attached to their Seat Toledo and he was dragged to his death. [14] In a separate operation, a 20-year-old man from Pingewood was arrested on suspicion of murder. He will be loved forever.". Long has admitted manslaughter but denies intending to harm the 28-year-old officer. [27] All three defendants denied murder. Later, other officers could be seen gathered around what appeared to be a black hatchback car inside the Four Houses Corner caravan site. PC Andrew Harper: Police officer's father backs call for life sentences for killers of emergency service workers, Two of PC Harper's killers launch appeals against their convictions, PC Andrew Harper's widow says he would have been proud of her for calling for law change, The operator told him officers were on their way, saying: "You can't go out there if they've got a weapon, you are going to be hurt. "Our superman, our bodyguard, our light in the dark. PC Harper's widow Lissie described being in "a lost and endless world" after her husband was killed in the line of duty, a month after their wedding day. A great cop, a great man, a great friend. The driver of the car, Henry Long, 19, and passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, from near Reading, have all admitted conspiracy to steal the quad bike, but have denied the murder of PC Harper. The first stop was the Bull Inn, where the defendants were allegedly spotted before a first failed attempt to steal the quad bike. Long has admitted to manslaughter and denies trying to harm PC Harper. A few locals out walking dogs in the light drizzle were seen stopping to stare as the convoy went by. A 999 call, played in court, heard how owner Peter Wallis said four masked men were outside his home with weapons and how he asked for someone to attend. Bowers and Cole's applications for permission to appeal against their sentences were granted, to enable the Court of Appeal to correct an error made in their sentencing for the offence of conspiracy to steal. Blue silk posies tied to street posts marked the area where the 28-year-old Thames Valley police officer fell after being dragged more than a mile behind a car on the night of August 15 last year. They were acquitted on the charge of murder. Mr Wallis told the Thames Valley Police operator: Ive got four masked men outside my house and theyve got weapons. Long, from Mortimer, Reading, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder and said he did not know PC Harper was attached to the vehicle. US porn star declared unfit for sex crimes trial, Ukrainian ministers killed in helicopter crash, Jeremy Renner TV show poster edited after accident, Celebrities who say their children will get no inheritance, Baby among six killed in possible cartel hit in US, Polar bear kills woman and boy in Alaska village. Driver Henry Long, 19, and passengers Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, were jailed for dragging PC Harper to his death in July. [30] During this subsequently abandoned trial, Thames Valley Police said they had received intelligence suggesting possible jury intimidation. [14], On 13 March, the court heard that all parties agreed that the police constable first to attend to Harper on the A4 did not strike him with his vehicle, contrary to early reports of the incident. Police officers launched a murder probe following a "serious incident" which took place at around 11.30pm near to the crossroads of Ufton Lane and Lambdens Hill, near Sulhampstead between Reading and Newbury. NSW ZEALAND CASUALTIES. The coronavirus outbreak prompted the first trial to be stopped in late March. Earlier today we sought a 36 hour extension to their custody, and this was granted at Reading Magistrates Court. You can be satisfied I am now a shadow of the person I once was. Long has admitted manslaughter but denies intending to harm the officer. (2) Long's application for permission to appeal against his sentence; and 'He was barely alive and PC Harper died soon after where he lay in Ufton Lane in the company of fellow officers who had tried desperately to save him. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The best way he could describe it was like a waterskier, he said: Feet whipped forward and you land on your back thats how Harps fell.. Ten males aged between 13 and 30 have been. [15] At 23:30, Shaw received a radio transmission from another responding officer which warned of "a body in the road"; Shaw replied that he believed the body was that of Harper. According to Long, the passengers were shouting to "go this way, go that way, slow down." He told them to shut up and put music on . [2] Investigations showed that Harper was dragged 1 mile (1.6km) in 91 seconds, with the defendants averaging 42.5 miles per hour (68.4km/h). Harry Howard Her campaign proposes that those convicted of manslaughter over the death of a blue-light worker while committing a crime should . Homeowner Peter Wallis called 999 to report a group stealing his quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, at 11.17pm on 15 August last year. PC Harper, who got married four weeks ago, was killed on the A4 Bath Road. On 15 August 2019, 28-year-old English police constable Andrew Harper was killed near Sulhamstead, Berkshire, England in the line of duty. [13] The SEAT, with Harper still being dragged behind, arrived at the lane's junction with the A4 Bath Roadapproximately 1 mile (1.6km) from where the police came upon the suspects. They came round earlier and now theyre at my property in Stanford Dingley.. [26] Bowers and Coleboth minors at the time of the offence and originally protected by Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal a quad bike[15] but denied manslaughter. The jury went on to view the 10,000 red Honda quad bike parked in the drive outside its owner's period property, as it had been on the night it was snatched. [40], The Attorney-General's application for permission to refer and the defendants' applications for permission to appeal were heard by the Court of Appeal on 30 November 2020, the Attorney-General Suella Braverman appearing personally. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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