Investigation could have stopped Wayne Couzens before Sarah Everard murder, court hears

07.03.2023 16:25

A tearful McDonald's worker told a court how investigation of Wayne Couzens' exposure crimes could have stopped him before he went on to kidnap, rape and murder Sarah Everard.

"We could have saved Sarah," said the staff member at the Old Bailey, before Couzens was sentenced yesterday for three exposure crimes carried out in Kent – including a McDonald's in Swanley – while he was a serving Metropolitan Police officer in 2020 and 2021.

CCTV footage played in court showed Couzens' car with the number plate AF12 XXW visiting the fast food restaurant, where he indecently exposed himself twice; the second time being just days before he killed Sarah Everard.

Judge Mrs Justice May sentenced Couzens to 19 months for the exposure crimes, and said the impact statements of the victims showed their "shock" over Couzens' "selfish and aggressive" acts, while one woman had been left experiencing "survivor's guilt".

One of the McDonald's workers said: "I had no-one contact me or ask for a statement. It was only after Sarah's murder that I became involved. If he had been held accountable when we had reported the crime, we could have saved Sarah."

Meanwhile an IOPC investigation has concluded a PC should face a gross misconduct hearing to answer allegations they breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of duties and responsibilities and honesty and integrity.

The officer has since resigned and left the MPS in 2022.

A statement from the Met Police following yesterday's sentencing notes how the Met received an allegation of exposure at a location in Swanley on February 28, 2021, which was recorded and passed to an officer to investigate.

By the time of Sarah Everard’s kidnap, on March 3, 2021, the investigation was not concluded and Couzens' occupation had not been identified.

DAC Stuart Cundy, who leads the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, said he and many others wished the exposure offences had led to Couzens' arrest before he went on to commit more horrific crimes.

He added: “I have read the victim impact statements and it is clear to me the hurt and trauma that he inflicted on them. It is their courage that has been crucial in bringing him to justice and I am sorry for what they have gone through.

“Like so many, I wish he had been arrested for these offences before he went on to kidnap, rape and murder Sarah Everard and I am sorry that he wasn’t.

Wayne Couzens, admitted three further indecent exposure charges at the Old Bailey today via video link from HMP Frankland. Picture: Elizabeth Cook/PA

“The Met’s response to these crimes has been independently investigated. One officer is due to face a misconduct hearing and the events surrounding the death of Sarah Everard will be examined by the Coroner.

“The fact he did this whilst serving as a police officer has brought shame on all us who swore to protect the communities we serve.

“My thoughts today are with all those targeted by Wayne Couzens and Sarah Everard’s family.”

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who leads the Specialist Crime Command team that also investigated the murder of Sarah Everard, said: “Those who came forward have shown strength and dignity in the face of Couzens’ attempts to scare and demean them for his own satisfaction.

“I would like to recognise their patience and co-operation throughout the case, and thank them for standing up to him. Without them justice could not have been served.”

Couzens pleaded guilty to the following three charges:

Exposure on November 13 2020 in the Deal, Kent area.
Exposure on February 14 2021 in the Swanley, Kent area.
Exposure on February 27 2021 in the Swanley, Kent area.

While the 2020 exposure was reported to Kent Police at the time of the offence, the victim contacted the police following Sarah Everard’s murder and the Met’s Specialist Crime Command team took primacy.

For these he was sentenced to 19 months, six months, and six months to run concurrently making it a total of 19 months.

The Old Bailey, Central Criminal Court, London. Stock picture

Three charges of exposure were ordered to lie on file. They were:

Exposure on June 9 2015 in the Dover, Kent area.

Exposure between January 22 2021 and February 1 2021 in the Swanley, Kent area.

Exposure between January 30 2021 and February 6 2021 in the Swanley, Kent area.

Following consultation with the CPS, the IOPC misconduct hearing was not heard prior to the conclusion of criminal proceedings in order to preserve the integrity of the trial.

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards are aiming to progress the hearing as soon as possible.

A statement from the Met added: "Given the hearing and allegations are yet to be heard, we are unable to provide further details at this stage.

"We expect the full circumstances of Sarah’s murder to be considered by the Coroner. While we appreciate there are many questions, the MPS does not wish to say or publish anything at this time that could impact on that process."

The IOPC investigation into the handling of the exposure reports found another officer, a sergeant attached to the South Area Command Unit, had no case to answer regarding their supervision of the exposure investigations.