Cop killers ‘made sneering feedback about PC Harper’s grieving widow’
The two men found guilty of manslaughter and reportedly made sick jokes about their victim’s widow while on trial at the Old Bailey, as well as after being thrown in jail
The twisted pair reportedly cracked jokes about their sick act(Image: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)
The two men who killed police officer Andrew Harper made sick jokes about his widow Lissie while being escorted from the court, it has emerged.
A former prison officer said the pair were cracking jokes throughout their trial, which took place at the Old Bailey, and continued their outrageous behaviour after being thrown in jail in July 2020.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to manslaughter, were reportedly described as having “no respect” for the gravity of their actions. Their prison guard at the time told the Sun that the twisted pair were “the last who should be considered for early release”.
Andrew Harper was killed in 2019(Image: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)
He said: “I saw their behaviour first-hand. They thought the whole thing was a joke and had no respect for PC Harper or his widow.
“One day they were being taken to the Bailey, they were making derogatory comments about Lissie and a custody officer told them to show some respect — and they laughed in his face.
“They went in the same van to the Old Bailey every day and there was nothing officers could do to stop them talking. They openly discussed blaming Henry for the death.
Andrew had recently married at the time of his tragic death (Image: PA)
“It was obvious they knew PC Harper was being dragged along the road. They made comments about him and his widow that made officers sick.
“They thought the whole thing was funny and did not have an ounce of remorse. They were laughing and joking in the dock as well.”
According to the guard, the pair of cop killers were some of the most disruptive prisoners he had seen.
The cop’s death sparked an outpouring of grief (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
He stated: “There were lots of gangsters in there but they were no use without weapons and Cole and Bowers knew how to fight. Cole beat a few lads up in the showers — they’d say they’d fallen over. Bowers was less violent but had a menacing aura and was from a serious family.
“We were all very relieved when they got moved. Anyone who saw them at trial or in jail would think it’s utterly wrong they could get early release.”
Earlier this week, PC Andrew Harper’s mother says she feels ‘sick’ as those responsible for her son’s death may be eligible for early release due to the government’s new Sentencing Act.
Deborah Adlam hit out at news that her son’s killers may be released earlier than expected (Image: PA)
PC Harper suffered fatal injuries while attending to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
The newly married 28 year old tragically died after becoming entangled in a strap connected to the rear of a car and was dragged along a country lane as three teenage suspects escaped from the burglary scene.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and both 17 at the time, received 13 years in custody for manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020.
