PC Andrew Harper murder trial: Case of 'utmost importance', court told

PC Andrew Harper worked for Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police PC Andrew Harper — PC Andrew Harper worked for Thames Valley Police

Jurors have been selected for the retrial of three teenagers accused of murdering a police officer.

PC Andrew Harper was dragged along a road by a car driven by Henry Long in Berkshire in August 2019.

The Old Bailey heard PC Harper was in pursuit of Mr Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, who were "trying to escape" with a stolen quad bike which was being towed behind the car.

All three men deny murder. Mr Long has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Justice Edis told the jury panel that the previous trial over PC Harper's death, which started in February, could not be finished due to the coronavirus lockdown and because some jurors had to be discharged because they were self-isolating.

He said the case, which would be opened by the prosecution on Tuesday and is being held under strict social distancing rules, was of the "utmost importance".

All three defendants, who deny murder, appeared at the Old Bailey earlier

Julia Quenzler court sketch of defendants — All three defendants, who deny murder, appeared at the Old Bailey earlier

Mr Justice Edis said serving on a jury was "public duty and serving on a jury in difficult times is particularly important".

"Each defendant denies murder and I am sure you will readily understand why it is important that this trial takes place."

Masks and gloves

The judge said PC Harper was "a brave young police officer" who died "in the course of his duty".

He said: "There is no doubt he died because he tried to help in the pursuit of these defendants who were in the course of trying to escape with a quad bike which had been stolen and towed behind the car."

At the time the 28-year-old's death, in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, the defendants were living near a travellers' caravan site in the county, the court heard.

The judge said Mr Long, from Mortimer, Reading, "accepts that he drove in a way that was dangerous and caused death but he denies he intended to cause any harm to PC Harper".

He said Mr Long, along with Mr Cole, 18, of Paices Hill near Reading, and Mr Bowers, 18, of Moat Close, Bramley, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

During the trial, jurors will sit in court two metres apart and masks, hand sanitizer and gloves will be made available.

Mr Justice Edis said the courtroom would be kept clean and jurors would be provided with a second court for their deliberations.