Andrew Harper: Man accused of murdering Thames Valley Police officer to go on trial in January

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The man accused of murdering a police officer in Berkshire is to go on trial in January.

PC Andrew Harper, 28, died from multiple injuries after being dragged under a vehicle while investigating a reported burglary.

His family attended Reading Crown Court and were sat in the jury box, as his alleged killer’s relatives and friends filled the public gallery.

Jed Foster has been charged with murder and the theft of a quadbike in the incident near Sulhamstead on 15 August.

The 20-year-old appeared in court by video-link from HMP Woodhill, and spoke to give his nationality as “white British” during a hearing on Wednesday.

Mr Foster is yet to enter pleas to the charges, but his lawyer told a previous hearing that he “denies any involvement in the horrific murder of PC Harper”.

Judge Paul Dugdale set a trial date of 20 January, and said the case would be heard by a High Court judge at Reading Crown Court.

“I understand the issue is identity as far as Mr Foster is concerned,” he told the court.

The defendant was one of 10 men and boys aged between 13 and 30 from a nearby caravan park arrested after PC Harper’s death.

The remaining nine suspects have been bailed until 13 September.

Mr Foster is next expected to appear in court for a case management hearing in November.

PC Harper was an officer in Thames Valley Police’s traffic unit and had got married four weeks before his death.

Additional reporting by PA