Today was the opening day for the murder trial of PC Andrew Harper. 

PC Harper died on August 15 after being dragged behind a car.

Three people are on trial for his murder - Henry Long, 18, and two 17-year-old boys, who all deny it.

Read in full.  

Today the prosecution team outlined their version of events, here is a brief round-up:

  • PC Andrew Harper was on duty with his crewmate PC Andrew Shaw at the time. 
  • The pair were due to finish their shift at 7pm, hours before they responded to the call for burglary after 11pm. 
  • The duo had been driving along a narrow road before coming head to head with a vehicle driven Long.
  • The car was a silver SEAT Toledo. 
  • Behind the car was a quad bike freewheeling on a crane strap attached to the car. 
  • Riding on that quad bike was one of the teenagers who is accused and cannot be named for legal reasons.
  • The other teenager was a passenger in the car. 
  • When the car stopped in front of the police car, the police car put its blue lights on, and the teenager riding the quadbike unstrapped the quad bike and tried to get inside the car.
  • But he couldn't get in the back door so he tried to get in through the passenger window. 
  • However, simultaneously PC Andrew Harper got out of his police car and tried to stop the teenager in his tracks.
  • But as he ran after him he got caught up in the strap that was trailing behind the car.
  • His feet were tangled and he was then dragged to his death.
  • The prosecution team claim that he was 'thrown about' for more than a mile as the driver swerved across the road to try and untangle him, knowing he was being dragged behind. 
  • Earlier that day the same car had been driving around a house called Privett House, just off Cock Lane in Berkshire. 
  • At some point, the passengers in the car had taped over the number plate and attached a strap to the boot of the car. 
  • All three defendants are accused of conspiracy to steal as well as a fourth man, Thomas King, 21. 
  • He has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and plays no further part in the murder investigation. He will be sentenced after the trial has finished. 
  • Later that night the three people who appeared in the dock today went back and stole the quad bike.
  • The owner called 999, this was the call that PC Andrew Harper and his crewmate responded to. 

The prosection's case will continue tomorrow.