The prison sentences handed down to the killers of PC Andrew Harper are to be challenged in court under the unduly lenient sentence scheme, the attorney general’s office has said. Henry Long, 19, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment, while Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, both 18, were sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of Harper. Harper, 28, sustained fatal injuries when his ankles were caught in a strap trailing behind a vehicle driven by Long on 15 August last year. The attorney general, Suella Braverman, has referred all three sentences to the court of appeal under the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme. The scheme allows victims of crime, their families, prosecutors and the public to ask law officers to review sentences for certain crimes that fall within the scheme that they believe are unfair. It takes just one complaint for the attorney general’s office to consider whether or not to refer to the court of appeal. Harper’s widow, Lissie, said: “This is great news and we thank the attorney general for her swift decision. The sentences for Andrew’s killers did not match their heinous crime. It was not justice and it needs to be addressed. “Police officers need to be properly protected by the judicial system, and there must be appropriate punishments for those who would kill police officers.” The attorney general’s decision to refer to the court of appeal comes as Harper’s father, Phil, backed a campaign calling for killers of emergency services workers to face mandatory life sentences. Lissie Harper launched the Harper’s Law campaign calling for “criminals convicted of killing a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, prison officer or paramedic to be jailed for life”. Phil said: “When Lissie announced the campaign for Harper’s Law, we decided that it could be achievable with the right support. We are so proud of Lissie for having the courage to take on this incredible task, and fully back her all the way.” Braverman said: “This was a horrific crime which resulted in the death of a much-respected police officer while he was on duty, protecting his community. “Having personally considered the details of this shocking case, I have decided to refer the sentences of PC Andrew Harper’s killers to the court of appeal. Attacks made against emergency workers will not be tolerated and offenders should be punished with the greatest severity for such heinous crimes.” The legal picture is complicated as Bowers and Cole have lodged applications with the court of appeal, seeking permission to challenge their convictions and sentences for their part in dragging Harper to his death. No date has been set for the appeal hearings, and it is unclear in which order the various hearings will take place. The Thames Valley officer became entangled in a tow rope attached to his killers’ Seat Toledo and was dragged at “breakneck” speed for more than a mile along country lanes before he was dislodged, having sustained horrific injuries. The three teenagers claimed the incident was a “freak event” that none of them could have planned or foreseen. The prosecution said the defendants must have been aware Harper, who was over 6ft and weighed 14st, was being dragged to his death. They were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Lissie is working with the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents more than 120,000 police officers, on the Harper’s Law campaign. She said: “Andrew loved his family, and so for Harper’s Law to have the backing of Phil and the family is incredibly important to me. “I’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of support I’ve received throughout this whole journey, but also for Harper’s Law. It’s so clear to see that the people of our country are unhappy with the way we deal with criminals – I’ve been swamped with messages and words of agreement over the despicable outcome following the trial.”