Officer who led PC Harper investigation 'appalled' killers could be released early | BBC News

Stuart Blaik, the senior investigating officer in the PC Andrew Harper case, has said he is "appalled" that two of the killers will become eligible for early release.   PC Harper, 28, from Oxfordshire in England died from catastrophic injuries in 2019 when he was dragged behind the getaway car of three teenagers who had fled the scene of a quad bike theft.   Two of his killers – Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers – will be eligible for early release next year under revised government plans to tackle prison overcrowding.   Blaik, who investigated the killing, said it was "particularly hard to understand" their case for early release and said police officers were shocked at the prospect.   PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, has been among a growing number calling for Cole and Bowers to be denied early release from prison.   Read more on this story on the BBC News website: https://bbc.in/4wODq0y   For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news   #UKPolitics #BBCNews