PC Andrew Harper murder: charges dropped against suspect

Newly-wed police officer killed after being dragged under vehicle while responding to burglary reports

Tragic: PC Andrew Harper died after responding to reports of a burglary on 15 August (EPA)

The case against a man accused of murdering a police officer, who was dragged under a vehicle while investigating a burglary, has been dropped.

Jed Foster, 20, from Pingewood, was arrested and charged with the murder of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire last month.

But prosecutors at the Old Bailey on Thursday said there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and moved to end the case against him.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said: “From 19 August of this year the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised that Jed Foster be charged with the murder of PC Andrew Harper.

“A full file of evidence has been received from the police and fully reviewed.

“The CPS has concluded that the full code test has not been met and there is not a realistic prospect of conviction.

“Proceedings against Mr Foster cannot and should not be continued.”

Mr Polnay said that the prosecution was serving a discontinuance order in connection with Mr Foster.

Newlywed PC Harper, 28, was killed on 15 August near the village of Sulhamstead, in Berkshire, when he was dragged under a van while responding to reports of a burglary.

He had been married to wife Lissie for just four weeks when he died.

Three teenagers charged with the police officer’s murder also appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday afternoon.

Henry Long, 18, from Mortimer, in Reading, and two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their age, were remanded in custody to appear at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 13 December.

The three teenagers had appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court earlier the same day where they spoke only to confirm their name, date of birth and address during the eight-minute hearing.

They, along with Thomas King, 21, from Basingstoke, are also accused of conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

King was released on conditional bail to return to the Old Bailey on 13 December as well.

Press Association contributed to this report.