A MAN accused of murdering PC Andrew Harper has had the charges against him dropped. 

Prosecutors announced that charges against Jed Foster have now been dropped at the latest hearing at the Old Bailey this afternoon.

PC Andrew Harper died after he was hit by a car while investigating a burglary near Reading last month – just four weeks after he got married.

Mr Foster, from Burghfield near Reading, was one of the 10 boys and men who were initially arrested in the hours following the officer's death. 

Police were given extra time to question him, and he was subsequently charged with murder.

At another hearing at the capital's main criminal court chief crown prosecutor Jaswant Narwal, said: “The CPS has discontinued the case against Jed Foster, 20, in relation to the ongoing investigation into PC Harper’s death in Berkshire. The CPS has now reviewed a full file of evidence from the police and concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction.

“The decision to charge Mr Foster was taken on the threshold test which is applied when a full file of evidence is not available.”

After his first hearing on August 20 his lawyer made a statement outside court denying Mr Foster's involvement in the murder.

Mr Foster was due to have a trial at Reading Crown Court on November 10.