PC Andrew Harper's colleague accuses Andy Burnham of 'spitting on our faces' over early release of officer's killers

PC Harper was fatally injured when he got caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and was dragged down a country road as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers are set to be released halfway through their 13-year sentences, after being convicted of manslaughter in 2020.

Now, Mr Bushnell, who attempted to pursue the gang of teenagers as they fled the scene, said he is still deeply traumatised by his colleague’s death.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the trial, Mr Bushnell told The Telegraph: “We can’t change the verdict. They got their sentences, which were pretty pitiful, to be fair.

"When I first heard a couple of weeks ago there was a chance they could be let out early, I was shaking. It brought everything back.

"To think they could be released early is absolutely outrageous. I’m angry with them, but I’m also angry with the Government. They’re spitting in the face of police officers."

Mr Bushnell said the decision to grant PC Harper’s killer’s early release would affect numerous officers who had lost colleagues in violent attacks while on duty.

He added: "This belittles them. It makes them feel worthless.

"The Government has to understand that this was the death of a police officer. [His killers] have got to serve their full sentence.

"Andy did his duty that night. The least they can do is show him some respect."

The layby where PC Harper's body was discovered

PA

On the night of PC Harper's death, Mr Bushnell had been parked in a lay-by for the suspects’ vehicle when he saw it emerge from the dark, dragging the body of the 28-year-old behind it.

He pursued the vehicle until an inspector instructed him over the radio to stop and stay where he was.

Moments later, Mr Bushnell was told PC Harper had been declared dead. He said: "I’ve seen people die before. I’ve seen suicides. This was beyond brutal. It was awful.

"I will never get over it. The guilt. That feeling of ‘what if?’ Today, I feel pretty much how I felt the day after it happened.

"This news about the sentencing, and the offenders being released early, has brought it all back again.”

PC Harper's widow Lissie lays a floral tribute

PA

A petition was set up by Thames Valley Police Federation chairwoman Aileen O’Connor, who said she is "optimistic" the Government will prevent them being freed.

Thames Valley Police Federation chairwoman Aileen O’Connor told the BBC: "There’s a little bit of glimmer of hope and encouragement with this latest release that we heard last night, but I can’t lose sight of just hours before that we heard that there was no possibility. So for me, I’m encouraged, I’m optimistic.

“I genuinely believe that the powers that be, Andy Burnham, and the difficult decisions that they have to make, he will make the right choices here, and he will come on board with us, and he’ll get the right side of the line.

"The strength of feeling up and down the country, where over 900,000 people have signed that petition, that’s the British public that have got behind this campaign.

"This is their voice, and this is about justice for Andrew and justice for Lissie and his family."

Housing Minister Sally Jameson confirmed a solution had been identified

GB NEWS

On Monday, Downing Street said it was "not possible" to exempt "one or two offenders" convicted of manslaughter from the early release scheme but later said Justice Secretary Alex Norris will look at ways to keep "a greater number of the most serious offenders" behind bars.

Speaking to reporters this morning, Housing Minister Sally Jameson said: “It is important that we find a way and I’m sure the Justice Secretary will find a way to make sure that Pc Harper’s killers are not released early.

"He’s looking for solutions and a solution’s been identified."