Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Andrew Harper, has released a statement following the news that her husband’s killers will not have their sentences increased.
In the statement, released via the Thames Valley Police Police Federation, Lissie said:
“Many months have passed since I sat in a cold and soulless courtroom, awaiting the fate to be given to the criminals who took my husband’s life and our future together.
“Many days I have spent fighting against an inadequate sentence and a wrong-doing that I could not accept.
“I wish to offer my sincere gratitude to the Attorney General and show my respect to her for the decisions she made regarding the undue leniency of this case.
“I know that she made the right decisions in seeking review of these sentences and regardless of the outcome I am pleased that she holds the same views as myself and so many other law-abiding citizens of this country.
“Today after so much waiting we have finally been given the outcome of these long-awaited decisions regarding these three men, their futures and whether or not justice will ultimately be served.
“Of course, no punishment, no time in prison will ever serve to make up for the theft of someone’s life, and not just someone, but an incredible person who gave without greed or expectation to his fellow man, and I will be eternally proud to call Andrew my husband.
“I miss him more as each day passes and I will continue to live my life in his honour, with respect, love and an unbreakable moral code.
“I am of course disappointed with this outcome and ultimately feel along with the Attorney General and the majority of our country that these sentences are far too lenient, that they do not reflect the severity and barbarity of the crimes they committed.
“I continue to feel let down by our justice system and the inadequate laws that we have in place.
“My husband was killed in a barbaric way that has seen the nation shocked. This single act has rocked the lives of so many people who both loved Andrew and those who have watched from afar the heart-breaking story of his death.
“To take someone’s life surely should mean to have your own freedom taken in return. Yet these criminals will see the light of day far, far earlier than they ever deserve to.
“I remain more determined than ever to do what is right and to ensure we see what should have been in place so long ago. I know now more than ever the importance and requirement for Harper’s Law, which would see those who kill our emergency services heroes receive a life jail sentence.
“I will fervently continue to fight for the safety and justice that our emergency service heroes so greatly deserve.
“No person should go to work and never return home. No person who works tirelessly and without gratitude to provide a service to our people should ever be placed in such a position that they lose their lives, and ultimately are not given the respect to even see justice prevail in their name.
“So along with a mighty team and the support of the public, I will not stop until I see change in our systems.
“I will not give up until Harper’s Law is passed through Parliament and my husband’s death goes to stand for the heroic and honourable service he gave to us all.
“I hope you will all stand with me in demanding better, striving for more and ultimately giving our protectors the respect they deserve.”
Featured image credit: Thames Valley Police Federation.
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we don,t have a justice system here in the u.k we have a system where the criminal has more rights than the victims, my 22 year old brother was killed i on Christmas day the peace of shit that killed him pleaded guilty to the charges against him and got off with a £200 fine with cases like p.c harper and other high profile cases and my brother how can anybody respect the law this needs to be changed p.c harper wife now has the life sentence while the peace of trash that killed him will no doubt be out in less than years with remission absolutely disgusting
Lissie, you know millions of us are beside you, who proudly stood beside Andrew (albeit briefly for me) a man yes a MAN of true honest stature. Maybe it is time the honest law abiding citizens of our once proud nation, gather together in a peaceful, but massive demonstration in the capital, when the time is right , march for justice for our emergency service workers, we have had enough it is time to act. When the time comes perhaps it can be organised to show our “worthy leaders ” enough is enough.