Driver accused of dragging PC Andrew Harper to his death is ‘sorry’ he died
THE driver of the car which dragged PC Andrew Harper to his death is "sorry" he died, a court heard today.
Henry Long, 19, was driving when the officer's ankles became tangled in a tow rope before he was dragged for more than a mile along country lanes.
He suffered horrific injuries and died at the scene near the A4 in Stanford Dingley, Berks, jurors have heard.
PC Harper had been responding to the theft of a quad bike on the evening of August 15 last year and was attempting to apprehend the suspects when the tragedy unfolded.
Long and his passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, are accused of his murder.
"HE IS SORRY"
The Old Bailey heard jurors may be "appalled" by Long's lifestyle, but they were urged to consider his case with "cool heads and dispassionate analysis".
In a closing speech for Long, Rossano Scamardella QC, said: "When he says sorry, he means it. You can believe him.
When he says sorry, he means it. You can believe him.
Rossano Scamardella QC
"When he says he is ashamed and feels disgraceful, you can believe him.
"When you have behaved as badly as they have, there is a limit to what you can do to make amends. One thing is to accept responsibility."
HERO COP
Mr Scamardella said the "senseless killing of a brave officer" would undoubtedly "stir emotions" and provoke the "deepest sympathy" for PC Harper's family.
But he warned jurors: "Emotion is the enemy of clear thinking.
"This is not a trial about whether you like him or not, this is a trial about whether he murdered a police officer.";
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On the night of PC Harper's death, the defendants had set out to steal the quad bike and then escape in a getaway car with disabled lights, the court heard.
Driving dangerously created a risk of some harm to people they came across that night, Mr Scamardella said.
While the defendants had all admitted conspiracy to steal the bike, only Long had pleaded guilty to PC Harper's manslaughter, he said.
The defendants, from near Reading in Berkshire, have denied murder.
