The senior investigating officer in the PC Andrew Harper case has expressed his dismay that two of the killers will become eligible for early release. Former Detective Superintendent Stuart Blaik described the prospect as "appalling" and "doesn't make any sense," especially given the severity of the crime.

PC Harper, 28, died in 2019 after being dragged behind a getaway car driven by teenagers who had fled the scene of a quad bike theft. His death was described by the sentencing judge as being "very close to a case of murder in its seriousness."

Two of the teenagers convicted of manslaughter, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, are set to become eligible for early release next year. This is due to revised government plans aimed at tackling prison overcrowding, which allow prisoners to be freed after serving half of their sentence instead of two-thirds. Cole and Bowers were each sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter.

Stuart Blaik, who led the Thames Valley Police investigation, stated that police officers are shocked by this development. He argued that prisoners with a high level of culpability for manslaughter should be excluded from such schemes. Blaik believes that allowing these individuals to be released early would undermine the judicial process and negatively impact police morale.

PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, has also been vocal, joining a growing number of people calling for Cole and Bowers to be denied early release. Blaik echoed public sentiment, stating that he was "deeply concerned" about the prospect of their early freedom, particularly given the tragic and serious nature of PC Harper's death.

He also noted that neither Cole nor Bowers showed any remorse during their time in police custody or throughout their trial. Blaik urged the government to reconsider the case and "have a long, hard think about the issue."

The revised government plans, announced recently, exclude prisoners convicted of rape, grooming, and serious child sex offenses from the early release scheme. However, individuals convicted of manslaughter may still be eligible. The driver of the getaway car, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence for manslaughter but will not be eligible for early release under these specific provisions.

Blaik, who left Thames Valley Police in 2023, shared his views publicly for the first time, emphasizing the strength of public feeling on the matter. He hopes the government will take this widespread public concern into account when making decisions about early release eligibility for these offenders.