Britain’s most hated police officer Wayne Couzens has lodged an appeal against his whole-life sentence for kidnapping, raping and murdering Sarah Everard.
The cowardly killer used Covid power to make a fake arrest of the 33 year-old marketing executive as she walked home in March from a friend’s house. After that, she committed horrific crimes that shocked the nation and undermined the confidence in the police.
The 48-year old used his warrant card to commit the crime and handcuffs to capture Ms Everard as she walked home in Clapham, south London on March 3.
A Court of Appeal official stated Wednesday that a request (for permission to appeal against a sentence) had been made.
Couzens was sentenced in September. His whole-life sentence was the first to be imposed for a single killing of an adult, which was not in the context of a terror attack.
Lord Justice Fulford passed sentence at the Old Bailey. He stated that the case where a serving officer had abused his position was exceptional and warranted a whole-life order. Couzens will not be released.
This was the first ever time that a sentence had been imposed on an adult for the single murder of a person not involved in a terror attack.
Judge Lord Justice Fulford stated at the time that ‘the misuse of a cop officer’s role in this case to kidnap and rape a single victim is of equal severity as a murder for advancing a political or religious cause.
Ms. Everard’s family was devastated after the sentencing. They said that while nothing could bring Ms. Everard back, knowing Couzens would be imprisoned for life brings them some relief.
Couzens is one among over 60 criminals currently serving whole-life sentences. They are reserved for the most severe crimes, such as political motivated murders or serial killings.
Couzens is joined by infamous killers such a British soldier Lee Rigby’s killer Michael Adebolajo, Dale Cregan, the police officer killer, Mark Bridger, and April Jones, five-year-old.
Myra Hindley, a murderer of Moors, and Ian Brady, a moors killer, were also given whole-life orders. Levi Bellfield, serial killer and murderer, is the only one to be given two.
Khairi Saidallah, a Reading terrorist, was unsuccessful in a Court of Appeal appeal against his life sentence for the murders of three men. This came after a hearing at Royal Courts of Justice.
Britain’s most hated officer in police Wayne Couzens has appealed against his life sentence for kidnapping and raping Sarah Everard.
Couzens has been the subject of a slew if claims since he was sentenced to life in prison with no parole, after he kidnapped and raped Miss Everard.
Couzens has been known to expose himself in an indecent manner, driving around naked from the waist in his car while serving with them in 2015.
He was also implicated in the same offense at a McDonald’s just days before he attacked Miss Everard.
He staged a fake Covid-arrest, handcuffed Miss Everard, and then drove 80 miles to Kent to rape and murder her. Days later, he burned her corpse and left it in woods on his property.
Couzens was jailed for life without parole, after he kidnapped and raped Miss Everard.
The Met has faced a lot of criticism for missing opportunities to expose Couzens’ sexual predatory behavior before he murdered Miss Everard.
Staff at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary discovered that the 48-year old was nicknamed “The Rapist” because he made female colleagues feel uncomfortable.
He had been accused indecent exposure in Kent in 2015. And in London in the days prior to Ms Everard’s death, but was allowed continue working.
Priti Patel announced that an independent inquiry will be conducted into the’systematic failings’ that allowed Wayne Couzens, a Met police officer, to serve. The Home Secretary stated that “recent tragic events have revealed unimaginable failures of policing”.
She stated that the public “have a right” to know why Couzens was allowed to be employed by Metropolitan Police.
Miss Patel addressed the Conservative Party conference in Manchester and stated: “I can confirm today that there will be an investigation, to give independent oversight necessary, to ensure that something like this cannot happen again.”
The inquiry will focus on Couzens’ history in the Metropolitan Police, and determine if there were red flags that could have been missed to identify him a threat.
The probe will likely be viewed by Met chief Cressida, who has been subject to calls to quit following Miss Everard’s murder.
The inquiry will be divided into two parts. The first examines Couzens’ past behavior.
It will attempt to establish a “definitive account” of his conduct leading to his conviction as well as ‘any missed opportunities’. The second section of the probe will focus on’specific issues raised during the first part. This could include wider issues such as discipline, vetting, and workplace behaviour.
Miss Patel will also send a letter to HMICFRS, an independent police inspector, to request a ‘thematic inspection of vetting procedures and counter-corruption procedures for policing in England and Wales’. This will examine the ways in which forces deal with misogynistic or predatory behaviour.
According to the Home Office, the inquiry will be conducted on a non-statutory basis but can be converted to a statute inquiry if necessary.
In due course, the Government will announce the selection of a chairman for the inquiry and the terms of its reference.
Couzens made a fake Covid arrest on March 3. He handcuffed Sarah Everard, 33, and then drove 80 miles from Kent to rape and murder her.
Cressida Dick (pictured), confirmed that all allegations of domestic and sexual abuse against Metropolitan Police officers in the last ten year will be reviewed in light of Miss Everard’s death.
All allegations of domestic and sexual abuse against Metropolitan Police officers in the last ten year will be reviewed in light of Miss Everard’s death.
Dame Cressida Dick, the commissioner of the force, announced that an investigation will be launched into all allegations of domestic abuse or sexual misconduct against London’s officers.
60-year-old Dame Cressida also said that similar allegations were made against officers and workers of the force over the past ten year. These allegations will be reviewed.
Officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards of the force will examine each case internally and check the vetting history of all staff involved in the claims.
The under-fire commissioner refused to resign and said: “We’ll be reviewing them.” [the allegations]to ensure that the victim has been supported properly and that the investigation goes as deep as possible.
“We’ll also be returning to look at some of those.” [historic]Investigations are conducted to ensure that all the necessary processes have been followed and that we have taken the correct management actions after the case has been closed.
According to the force, the examination was launched along with an independent review of the Met’s culture by Baroness Casey. This was happening in the wake of Ms Everard’s death.
Dame Cressida expressed delight at the announcement that Baroness Blackstock would be responsible for an ‘independent, far-reaching review’ which will last approximately six months.
She said, “She will be looking into our vetting, recruitment, leadership, training and all manners of processes to see if they reinforce the highest possible standards.”
“She will make a public report and public recommendations so that we can improve and make the public have more faith in us.”
Dame Cressida stated that Baroness Casey, who was leading an inquiry into how England yobs managed to get into Wembley during Euros final, was a strong candidate.
She stated that she believed she had the right character, the right expertise, as well as the right background to conduct this review.
Baroness Casey stated: “Trust is given by the police by our consent, the public’s.” Consequently, any act that violates that trust must be investigated and fundamentally altered.
“This will no doubt be an difficult task, but we owe the victims and their families and the countless decent officers this has brought into disrepute.
The force’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, which was the target of the killing Couzens, will be the focus of the spotlight. There will also be a root-and-branch’ review to determine if there are any specific issues’ within this unit.
Sadiq Khan, London’s Mayor, has welcomed Baroness Casey’s appointment to lead an independent review of the Met’s culture & standards.
Mr Khan stated in a series tweets that ‘Baroness Casey must review the wider culture of Met Police, including issues such as misogyny and sexism as well as thorough examination of recruitment, vetting and training, leadership, and standards of conduct among officers and staff.
“I have been clear with the Met Commissioner regarding the magnitude of the challenge and the need for change, and I will continue my efforts to hold the Met Police accountable on behalf of Londoners.
It was revealed that more than half of the Met officers who were found guilty of sexual misconduct in a period of four years from 2020 to Couzens’ murder sentence received their jobs. This is a total of 43 officers, or 52 percent, of the total 83.
The Metropolitan Police are also being criticized for their handling of the Everard case. A panel of independent investigators found institutional corruption in the investigation into Daniel Morgan’s 1987 unsolved death.
The private investigator was found murdered in a car park in south London. The panel discovered that the Met failed to conceal or deny their failures.