Teenagers accused of killing PC Andrew Harper named for first time
Teenagers accused of killing PC Andrew Harper when he was hit by car as he answered burglary call can be named for first time
- The newly-wed officer was caught in trailing rope dangling from SEAT Toledo
- Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, accused of murdering the 28-year-old
- They had been protected by orders preventing publication of their identities
Published: 11:29 EDT, 3 June 2020 | Updated: 11:43 EDT, 3 June 2020
PC Andrew Harper was caught in trailing rope dangling from the back of a silver SEAT Toledo
Two of the teenagers accused dragging newly-wed Pc Andrew Harper to his death will be tried again in two weeks.
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, are accused of murdering PC Harper 28, who was caught in trailing rope dangling from the back of a silver SEAT Toledo.
Prosecutors claim the car was being driven by 19-year-old Henry Long on 15 August last year.
The policeman had been responding to calls that a quad bike had been stolen from a £800,000 country house in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.
Bowers and Cole had previously been protected by court anonymity orders preventing publication of their identities.
The 28-year-old had only been married to Lissie Harper for a month when he was tragically killed in August
A man attempting to get into a Seat car after it was stopped by PC Andrew Harper and PC Andrew Shaw who were responding to a burglary in progress near Stanford Dingley
However, as they have both turned 18 those rights automatically fall away.
Mr Justice Edis said: ‘There is no continuing protection.’
Long, Bowers, and Cole were not present at the Old Bailey today as Justice Edis set a trial date for the week commencing June 15.
Long, of Mortimer Reading, Bowers of Moat Close, Bramley, Hampshire and Cole of Paices Hill Aldermaston deny murder.
Long has admitted manslaughter and conspiracy to steal. Cole and Bowers have admitted conspiracy to steal.
Henry Long, 19, pictured, from Mortimer, Reading, along with Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, all deny murdering the Thames Valley Police officer
Previously bespectacled Thomas King, 21, of Lane End, Bramley, Hants, admitted conspiring to steal the same quad bike belonging to Mr Peter Wallis and will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.
In April, PC Harper’s widow, Lissie, left a heartbreaking message for her husband on his birthday.
She said she could feel her loved one with her in spirit as she laid flowers at their favourite spot.
A social media post read: ‘Oh my lovely boy, I can’t believe I’m spending this day without you. I walked at our favourite spot, I sat in the sun and I remembered all of your special birthdays we did spend together.
‘I know you were there with me and will always be in my heart forever more. My love is yours always.’
Lissie Harper said she could feel her loved one with her in spirit as she laid flowers at their favourite spot on his birthday in April
The pair got engaged in Italy in May 2017, and had their ‘dream wedding’ at Ardington House near Oxford last summer.
The trial at the Old Bailey was halted by coronavirus earlier this year after three jury members had to self isolate.
The judge said he considered a case of ‘this importance’ should be decided by a jury with more than nine members.
He said he was ‘deeply sorry’ to ‘those who loved’ PC Harper for his decision.
The case will be listed on June 15 for trial.
