PC Andrew Harper murder trial: Court hears 999 call over stolen quad bike before officer’s death

Jurors in the PC Andrew Harper murder trial have heard a dramatic 999 call made by a man who watched the defendants steal his quad bike minutes before the officer’s death.

Peter Wallis called police when he saw four men drive onto his property and get out just before 11pm.

He said he had seen them on his driveway earlier that day and had confronted them before they drove away.

He told the 999 operator that the second time they were masked and carrying what he initially thought were weapons.

He said he was going to confront them again, but the operator told him not to because he could get hurt.

In the recording of the 999 call Mr Wallis says: “Their faces are covered… they’re stealing my quad bike, I’m going out there now. Please send someone, I’m going out there…they’re not taking my damned bike. F*** me, they’ve already taken it”.

At one stage Mr Wallis says he lost sight of the men, then tells the operator: “Oh no, they’re trying to take it, they can’t. I don’t know what they’re doing. They’re backing into the property now, they’re going to try and come in here.

“They tried to lift the bike… They don’t know what to do… that’s not going to end well for me. They’re getting back out the car.

“They’re pondering what to do. Nothing’s happened they’re going to try… no, they’re going back, they don’t know what they’re doing. I can’t see any of them, they’re all out the car. I may have spooked them.

“They’ve changed their mind. They’ve got a tow … out. They’re dragging the bike up the road, they’re dragging the f****er. They’re dragging it up the drive…”

Mr Wallis, who is giving evidence at the Old Bailey behind a screen, said he initially thought at least one of the men was carrying a weapon, like a piece of wood, but later thought it might have been a tool to help steal the quad bike.

Jurors have already been told that PC Andrew Harper, 28, and a colleague had finished their patrol shift, but responded to the theft because they were close by and thought they could help.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC has said it was a decision that cost newly-married PC Harper his life.

He has described how, in a dark country lane, the officers confronted the defendants’ car which was towing the quad bike, and as it sped off PC Harper’s feet became entangled in the tow rope and he was dragged more than a mile to his death.

Henry Long, 18, and two 17-year-old boys who can’t be named because of their age, admit plotting to steal the quad bike, but deny murdering the officer.

Long admits manslaughter and agrees he was the driver of the car in Berkshire in August last year.

The three defendants were arrested later that night at a nearby travellers caravan site.

The trial continues.

(c) Sky News 2020: PC Andrew Harper murder trial: Court hears 999 call over stolen quad bike before officer’s death