Teenager who killed PC Andrew Harper admits to stealing quad bike just hours before tragedy
A TEENAGE thug who killed PC Andrew Harper today admitted stealing a quad bike hours before the tragedy.
Jessie Cole, 18, broke into a home’s padlocked garage overnight on August 14, 2019, and stole a child-size vehicle and other high-value items.
He and Henry Long, 19, and Albert Bowers, 18, stole a second quad bike the next day and dragged newlywed PC Harper, 28, along the road to his death as he tried to stop them making their getaway in a van.
The loot from the first burglary was discovered when Cole was arrested for PC Harper’s death at the Four Houses Corner caravan site in Ufton Nervet, Berks, shortly after PC Harper’s body was found on August 15.
Phone location data showed Cole had been at the first burglary scene.
Cole was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison by Reading magistrates today after admitting the first burglary. He appeared by video link from HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, Bucks.
He is already serving 13 years for PC Harper’s death after being convicted of manslaughter in September last year. He will serve his latest sentence alongside this, meaning he will not do extra time.
His defence solicitor, Rhian Wood, said: “Jessie is from the travelling community. He cannot read or write.
“At the Old Bailey he required an intermediary for the whole of his trial, which will give you some idea as to the level of his understanding and ability to communicate.
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"He is still very young. He has been convicted of a very serious offence and he is currently serving a long sentence for that and will serve the better part of his youth in prison.”
Asked if he had anything to say, Cole said: “OK, I understand. Thank you.”
He was led out of the video booth and back into the jail.