Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Louie Smith

Policeman run over by car thief days before PC Harper's death backs 'Andrew's Law'

A policeman run over on duty five days before the death of PC Andrew Harper is joining calls for tougher sentences.

PC Gareth Phillips, 43, suffered life-threatening pelvis injuries when car thief Mubashar Hussain, 29, drove into him.

He is backing an “Andrew’s Law”, which could lead to full life jail terms for those who kill emergency services workers.

Last month two of PC Harper’s killers were told they will only serve two thirds of their 13-year sentences in custody.

PC Phillips believes early release on licence should be axed for thugs who attack emergency workers.

He said: “Sentences should be stronger than they are. We don’t go to work to get injured, we go to work to help people.

PC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie (PA)
(Left to right) Henry Long, 19, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18 (PA)

"To have some backing from the courts through sentencing would be a huge step forward.”

PC Harper, 28, was dragged to his death last August as he tried to stop thieves fleeing with a stolen quad bike, after becoming entangled in straps attached to a getaway car.

Driver Henry Long, 19, was jailed 16 years while Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, each got 13 for manslaughter.

PC Harper’s family is also calling for tougher sentencing. PC Phillips was hit by a hijacked police BMW and Hussain was jailed for 12 years.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.