Police officer accepts responsibility for killing of Sarah Everard

A police officer has accepted responsibility for killing former Durham University student Sarah Everard. a court heard.
By Kevin Clark
Published 8th Jun 2021, 10:40 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared at the Old Bailey today, Tuesday, June 8, when he pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and raping the 33-year-old.

The court heard Couzens had accepted responsibility for the killing of Ms Everard but he was not being asked to enter a plea to a charge of murder.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The hearing was told that responsibility for the killing was admitted but medical reports were awaited.

A police office has accepted responsibility for killing Sarah Everard, 33, who went missing in London earlier this year. Photo by -/METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty Images.A police office has accepted responsibility for killing Sarah Everard, 33, who went missing in London earlier this year. Photo by -/METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty Images.
A police office has accepted responsibility for killing Sarah Everard, 33, who went missing in London earlier this year. Photo by -/METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty Images.

Members of Ms Everard’s family were sat in court to witness the defendant entering his pleas.

Marketing executive Ms Everard, 33, went missing as she walked home from a friend’s house in Clapham in south London, on March 3.

She was reported missing by her boyfriend on Thursday, March 4 this year and her body was found hidden in an area of woodland in Ashford, Kent, on Wednesday, March 10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was confirmed two days later that the remains were Ms Everard’s.

Couzens, a constable serving with the Metropolitan Police, was wearing khaki trousers and a grey sweatshirt as he appeared by video link from Belmarsh jail.

He pleaded guilty to kidnapping Ms Everard “unlawfully and by force or fraud” on March 3.

He also pleaded guilty to a second charge of rape between March 2 and 10.

Read More
Sarah Everard case has unleashed a 'tidal wave' among women, says campaigner, as...

Couzens was not asked to enter a plea to her murder between March 2 and 10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The defendant said: “Guilty, sir” when asked for his plea to the first two charges.

A further hearing before Lord Justice Fulford is due to take place on July 9.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.