Mother of PC Harper Killer Claims Son Poses No Danger

The mother of Albert Bowers, one of the killers of PC Andrew Harper, has voiced strong objections to the decision to deny her son early release from prison. Donna-Marie Bowers, 44, stated on Facebook that her son is "not a danger to anyone" and attributed the decision to public pressure, describing the 2019 incident as a "tragic accident."

Albert Bowers, along with Jessie Cole, both 24, were in a group of teenagers who killed PC Harper, 28, as he attempted to apprehend them for stealing a quad bike. PC Harper was dragged for a mile behind their getaway car, sustaining fatal injuries.

Bowers and Cole had been eligible for release after serving half of their 13-year manslaughter sentences. However, following a public outcry and an emotional campaign by PC Harper's family, Prime Minister Andy Burnham intervened, altering the early release scheme to exclude individuals convicted of unlawful killing.

Albert Bowers is reportedly serving his sentence at HMP Frankland and has been described by a prison source as wearing the notoriety of PC Harper's death "almost like a medal." The source also stated that Bowers has "never shown a moment's regret" and has been observed grinning during court appearances.

Mrs. Bowers, in a series of Facebook posts written in what the Daily Mail described as "broken English," criticized the Prime Minister's decision, suggesting he was yielding to public pressure. She claimed that only "some of the public" opposed the release of her son and Cole, despite a petition against it garnering over a million signatures.

She also shared a post that alleged "double standards" among campaigners, asserting that there was no similar public outcry against police officers convicted of serious offenses. The shared post also characterized many officers as "corrupt scum" protected by their colleagues.

Bowers and Cole were 17 at the time of the incident, with Henry Long, then 19, driving the car. While cleared of murder, both were convicted of manslaughter.

Mrs. Bowers defended her son and Cole, calling them "only kids at the time and are not a danger to enyone [sic] now." She also addressed a past conviction for sexual assault, dismissing it as "lies" and suggesting that the judge's ruling was influenced by Albert being a "traveler," a term often used for the Romani people.

PC Harper's family has stated that the efforts to keep his killers incarcerated have "re-traumatised" them. A prison source previously told the Daily Mail that Bowers is "evil" and "completely devoid of any morals or any humanity," predicting he "will kill again at some point in his life when he is eventually released."

Bowers and Cole are expected to remain in custody until approximately March 2029, when they will have completed two-thirds of their sentences.