Teenager Henry Long pleads guilty to manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire, but denies murder

A teenager has admitted killing a police officer who was dragged along the road by a van after being called to reports of a break-in.

PC Andrew Harper, 28, died in August in Berkshire, four weeks after he had married, he died after being dragged along a road by a van.

Henry Long, 18, from Mortimer, Reading, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey but denies murder. The Thames Valley Police officer from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, died from multiple injuries.

A 17-year-old co-defendant, who cannot be identified, entered not guilty pleas to PC Harper’s manslaughter and conspiracy to steal. Another 17-year-old boy denied the same charges at an earlier hearing.

A fourth defendant, Thomas King, 21, from Basingstoke, has admitted conspiracy to steal a quad bike, he was granted bail until his sentencing at the conclusion of the trial of the other defendants, which is scheduled to start on March 9. Long, who is alleged to have been driving the van, also admitted conspiracy to steal a quad bike.

A post-mortem examination found the Thames Valley Police officer, who got married four weeks earlier, died of multiple injuries.

The teenagers are due to face a six-week trial at the Old Bailey from 9 March.