One of PC Andrew Harper's killers, Albert Bowers, who had been in line for early release from prison last month, is reportedly a convicted sex offender, according to reports citing prison records. Bowers, 24, and accomplice Jessie Cole, 29, were due to be freed after serving just half of their 13-year manslaughter sentences under an early release scheme, before Prime Minister Andy Burnham intervened following public outcry to keep hundreds of criminals, including the pair, behind bars.

Bowers is reportedly listed at HMP Frankland as a "sex offender", "violent" and "racist", with a source suggesting the offence pre-dated Harper's 2019 death and may have occurred when Bowers was a minor. Burnham has since excluded those convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, from the early release scheme, which allows prisoners to be freed after 40% rather than 50% of their sentence amid prison overcrowding. The decision followed a petition signed by over a million people and an open letter from 50 chief constables; Harper's mother said she was "grateful" but that the family remains in a difficult position after months of distress.