Lissie Harper and Debbie Adlam have responded following news that Henry Long is to appeal his sentence after he was convicted of causing the death of the hero PC Andrew Harper.
PC Harper was killed after he was dragged for a distance of 1.4 miles at an average speed of 42.5 mph by a car that was being driven by Henry Long.
Henry Long, Jesse Cole and Albert Bowers had just carried out an armed raid on a private property before making off with a stolen quad bike that was being towed behind a car being driven by Long.
Long was sentenced to 16 years behind bars following his conviction for manslaughter.
But news emerged today that Long’s legal team have now lodged an application with the Court of Appeal to challenge his sentence.
Responding to the news, Andew’s mother, Debbie Adlam, said:
“My family and I totally respect anyone’s right to appeal against their sentence.
“We live in a fair society. However, this news, coming as it does on the very last day that he had to put in his appeal, is simply another kick in the stomach that leaves us all feeling awful.
“We will recover from this as we have to do but my thoughts today are absolutely with my heroic son who gave his life trying to protect others and those responsible for his loss will not live rent free in my head”.
Andrew’s widow, Lissie Harper, said:
“This update comes as no surprise to me following news that two of them are also seeking leave to appeal against their conviction.
“None of Andrew’s killers have shown any remorse.”
“So this is just carrying on the way that they are and have been throughout the past year.
“It is upsetting – but just helps to drive my determination with my campaign calling for #HarpersLaw.”
The sentences handed down to Henry Long, Jesse Cole and Albert Bower’s have been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Nearly one million people have now signed two petitions, which are both calling for anyone who is convicted of killing an emergency worker to spend at least 20 years behind bars (Andrew’s Law) or to spend a whole-of-life sentence behind bars (Harper’s Law).
The former campaign is being run by Andrew’s mum, Debbie, whilst the latter is being run by Andrew’s widow, Lissie.
The news comes on the day when it transpired that Long, Bowers and Cole had already used £465,000 of public money to defend themselves against the charges which were brought against them.
A judge described long as a ‘career criminal’ who ‘had not worked a day in his life’.
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This is unsurprising, there is too much money to be made by those WE the tax paying public are paying for through legal aid, it is virtually a bottomless purse being exploited by many in the legal profession. Could their sentences be increased though? Now that would be a suitable outcome.