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Father of PC Nicola Hughes backs tough new law for criminals who kill emergency service workers
Twenty-three-year-old PC Nicola Hughes was murdered when attending a seemingly routine call
The father of a Greater Manchester Police officer killed in the line of duty has voiced his support for the new law that will make life sentences mandatory for those who kill emergency service workers.
Twenty-three-year-old PC Nicola Hughes was murdered when attending a seemingly routine call out in Mottram, Longdendale, back in 2012. Nicola and her colleague, PC Fiona Bone, both died after being caught up in a gun and grenade ambush.
Their killer, Dale Cregan, was jailed for life.
This week, Nicola’s father Bryn Hughes has spoken about his support for the newly passed Harpers Law, which makes life sentences mandatory for those who kill emergency service workers.
He said he is pleased that the law, which is likely to be coming into place early next year, has been passed, noting that it is ‘long overdue’.
Bryn told ITV News: “Knowing that a person that kills your loved one in those circumstances will be getting a life sentence gives you some comfort. That I suppose that can make it a little bit easier.”
Harpers Law comes after tireless campaigning by the widow of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed while responding to a report of a burglary in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019. The twenty-eight-year-old suffered catastrophic injuries when his ankles were caught in a strap attached to the getaway car as he attempted to apprehend one of the burglars.
After the driver of the car, nineteen-year-old Henry Long, was charged with manslaughter and jailed for just sixteen years, Andrew’s widow Lissie Harper spoke of her outrage and began to campaign for a law change that would bring mandatory life sentences for those who kill an emergency worker in the line of duty.
After Harper’s Law was passed this week, Lissie said: “Emergency services workers require extra protection. I know all too well how they are put at risk and into the depths of danger on a regular basis on behalf of society.
“That protection is what Harper’s Law will provide and I am delighted that it will soon become a reality.
“It’s been a long journey and a lot of hard work. I know Andrew would be proud to see Harper’s Law reach this important milestone.”