COP: I KIDNAPPED AND RAPED SARAH
Couzens admits he assaulted and killed 33-year-old
A POLICE officer has admitted in court that he kidnapped and raped Sarah Everard.
Diplomatic protection officer Wayne Couzens, 48, also admitted that he was responsible for her death.
But he was not asked to enter a plea to a charge that he murdered the marketing manager, pending the outcome of medical reports.
The Pc admitted kidnapping her “unlawfully and by force or fraud” on March 3 and raping her at an unspecified time between March 2 and 10.
Family
Couzens appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday via videolink from Belmarsh prison in southeast London.
Sarah’s dad Jeremy and mum Susan were among members of her family in court.
The 33-year-old executive vanished after setting out on a two-and-a-half-mile journey from a pal’s home in Clapham, south London, to her flat in Brixton on March 3.
Her body was found seven days later in Hoad’s Wood near Ashford, Kent.
Couzens is scheduled to reappear in court on July 9 before Lord Justice Fulford.
Sarah’s death sparked vigils across Britain and demands for action to tackle violence against women.
In a statement her family said: “Sarah was bright and beautiful – a wonderful daughter and sister. She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.
“She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all. We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives.’’