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PC Andrew Harper's mother says killers' appeals are 'a kick in the stomach'

Deborah Adlam, the mother of Pc Andrew Harper, at her home in Oxfordshire. Adlam and Pc Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, have launched campaigns for tougher punishments for those who kill police officers.
Deborah Adlam, the mother of PC Andrew Harper, at her home in Oxfordshire. (Getty)

PC Andrew Harper's mother has criticised his killers for appealing their manslaughter convictions.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, have lodged applications with the Court of Appeal seeking permission to challenge their convictions and their 13-year sentences.

They were jailed alongside a third man, Henry Long, 19, for killing PC Harper as they fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Berkshire in August last year.

PC Harper died when he became entangled in a crane strap attached to the back of a car driven by Long and was dragged to his death along dark country lanes.

The policeman’s mother Debbie Adlam has described the applications to appeal as “a kick in the stomach”.

She has previously criticised her son’s killers for “showing no remorse” and called for tougher sentences for cop killers.

Read more: Pair convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper launch appeals

(Left to right), Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18 (Picture: PA)
(Left to right), Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole, 18, and Albert Bowers, 18. (PA)

Mrs Adlam said: “We’ve only just come through the first anniversary of Andrew’s death.

“It’s been the most painful year of my life and the trial was absolutely gruelling.

“We clearly didn’t get the justice that we all felt that we deserved – but this application to appeal both conviction and sentence is a further kick in the stomach.

“We will obviously have to leave it up to the judicial system but I’d like to think that I do not live in a country where people can be involved in taking a life whilst committing a crime and be allowed to walk away from it and serve anything other than a lengthy custodial sentence.”

Confirmation of the appeal bids came on Wednesday as PC Harper’s widow launched a petition to show the level of public support for tougher jail terms for people who kill emergency services workers.

Lissie Harper, 29, is trying to secure a meeting with home secretary Priti Patel and wants to show the extent of the backing for her campaign.

She declined to comment on news of the appeal applications.

Read more: PC Andrew Harper’s mum slams killers for 'laughing' in court

PC Andrew Harper had only been married for a month when he died (Picture: PA)
PC Andrew Harper had only been married for a month when he died. (PA)

Supported by the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents more than 120,000 rank-and-file officers, Harper’s Law would see anyone convicted of killing an emergency services worker given a life sentence.

PC Harper had only been married for a month when he died on 15 August last year.

The attorney general’s office (AGO) has been asked to review the killers’ sentences to consider if they were too lenient.

The AGO may refer their cases to the Court of Appeal for judges to consider whether the sentences should be increased.

No date has been set for the hearing of the appeals by Bowers and Cole.