Let Sarah Be the last
»»Police in »»Couzens spotlight as told he will ex-cop jailed die in prison
URGENT action to make women safe on our streets was demanded by campaigners as ex-policeman Wayne Couzens got a whole-life term for Sarah Everard’s murder.
The former Metropolitan Police officer used Covid powers to falsely arrest Sarah, 33, as she walked home from a friend’s house in March.
He handcuffed her, put her in the back of his rented car and drove 80 miles to Kent. He then raped her and strangled her with his police-issue belt.
At the Old Bailey he stood shaking, head bowed, as he was told he will never be released from jail.
Lord Justice Fulford said Couzens “used his position as a police officer” to kidnap Sarah in Clapham, south
London. He added: “The police have powers of coercion and control. “In this country it is expected the police will act in the public interest. “You have eroded the confidence the public are entitled to have in the police forces of England and Wales.” Sarah’s parents held hands as the judge told prison guards: “Take him down.” Former justice minister Harriet Harman called on Met Police chief Cressida Dick to quit so women can rebuild their “shattered confidence” in policing. Dame Cressida said Couzens had brought shame on the Met, adding: “I am so sorry.” Home Secretary Priti Patel backed her but insisted “serious questions” need to be answered. But Shadow Safeguarding Minister
Jess Phillips said: “I’ve watched the Home Secretary and Cressida Dick expressing sorrow. They’re both women with immense power – please ask them what they are going to do about the massive failings other than be sad.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Serious questions need to be answered about how we ensure something like this never happens again.” Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds called for an urgent investigation to make sure the crime is not repeated.
Sarah’s family said after the killer was jailed: “Nothing can bring Sarah back. But knowing he will be imprisoned for ever brings some relief.
“Wayne Couzens held a position of
trust as a police officer. We are outraged and sickened that he abused this trust to lure Sarah to her death. The world is a safer place with him imprisoned.”
Investigations continue into whether Couzens committed other crimes. Scotland Yard appealed for any so-far unknown victims to contact them.
He could also face charges relating to two incidents days before the murder. Workers at a McDonald’s in Swanley, Kent, reported him to the Met Police, claiming he exposed himself to them.
He allegedly went through the restaurant’s drive-through naked from the waist down on February 27, four days before snatching Sarah. He allegedly returned the next day and did the same, and staff gave police his registration number. An officer was assigned but had not identified Couzens as a suspect by the time he killed Sarah.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the handling of the incident. A file relating to the two incidents has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Couzens also allegedly flashed at a driver on the M20 in Kent in 2015, when he was a Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer.
A lorry driver told police he saw him driving naked but no further action was taken. An IOPC investigation into Kent Police is ongoing.
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave admitted a failure in vetting while hiring Couzens in 2018.
One check was not carried out, which meant they were not aware of the 2015 incident. But Couzens would still have got the job even if they did know as no further action had been taken, he said. Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Tom Winsor confirmed Couzens was known as “the rapist” by other officers. He said the killer also had “allegedly a reputation in terms of drug abuse, extreme pornography and other offences of this kind”. Harman called for tougher vetting and said police needed to impose swifter suspensions over allegations of violence against women, and that officers who fail to report colleagues m ust face tougher action. Last night the Met Police said it will publish a new strategy for tackling violence against women and girls.