London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023

Met police ‘sorry’ Wayne Couzens wasn’t arrested for indecent exposure

Met police ‘sorry’ Wayne Couzens wasn’t arrested for indecent exposure

Senior officer says Couzens’ flashing crimes ‘brings shame on all of us’ as former constable sentenced to 19 months in prison for three incidents of indecent exposure before he raped and murdered Sarah Everard
Wayne Couzens has been sentenced to 19 months in prison for three incidents of flashing, as one of the victims said police had chances to save Sarah Everard from the killer police officer.

The former Metropolitan Police officer, 50, is already serving a whole life jail sentence for the kidnap, rape, and murder of Ms Everard, 33, in March 2021.

Couzens abducted the marketing executive on the edge of the South Circular as she walked home alone, using police Covid powers to carry out a bogus arrest.

The officer has now admitted three incidents of indecent exposure prior to the murder, including one on February 27, 2021 – days before Ms Everard was taken.

At the Old Bailey on Monday, Couzens was sentenced to 19 months in prison for the exposure charges, to run alongside his whole life prison term.

Mrs Justice May said the fact Couzens was not caught or even questioned over the incidents had “confirmed and strengthened in (his) mind the dangerous belief in his invincibility and power to sexually dominate women without being stopped.”

Following the sentencing hearing, the Met Police released CCTV footage of Couzens’ car at a drive-through fast food restaurant in Kent, where he exposed himself to female attendants.

In a statement, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy, who leads the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “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.

“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.”

In powerful victim impact statements, one of the flashing victims set out how evidence against Couzens was available but police were slow to act.

“This indecent exposure incident was reported on the Sunday”, she 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.”

Couzens, a former member of the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, stared at the table throughout Monday’s sentencing hearing, as he appeared via videolink from HMP Frankland.

Ms Everard’s mother Susan also attended the court hearing via videolink.

The first flashing incident happened in November 2020, when Couzens stood naked and masturbating as a woman cycled along a quiet country lane in Deal, Kent.

Couzens was supposed to be on duty and working from home at the time, but spent hours of his shift loitering around the nearby woodland.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC said the incident, in the middle of the day, happened close to the area when Ms Everard was taken by Couzens after being kidnapped.

The cyclist “felt she had no choice but to continue cycling along that country lane”, said the prosecutor, telling the court: “There were no words exchanged between them. She had a clear view of him and clearly remembered what he looked like.”

Around 50 metres further on, she cycled past a parked black car which looked “old” and “a little battered” but she was unable to recall the full number plate.

As she rode on, the cyclist came across two women and told them what she had seen. One of them said she was a police officer and would keep a look out, the court heard.

“I remember vividly being concerned that somebody who could expose themselves to a stranger in such an intimidating way could go on to commit much more serious acts. This is what happened”, the woman said, in her impact statement.

“Four months after you exposed yourself to me, you raped and murdered an innocent woman. There were opportunities to identify you and they were not taken.

“I did not feel that, when I reported your crime, it was taken as seriously as I felt that it should have been. The horror of what happened will remain with me for the rest of my life.

She said the incident left her feeling “vulnerable and afraid”, adding: “The crime you perpetrated has left a dark stain on my daily life. I saw you, now known globally as a convicted murderer and rapist, in the act of masturbating whilst completely naked. Your intention was to cause distress and alarm.

“The pleasures of being able to take a walk on my own, or to cycle to the railway station, without fear, are now denied to me.”

Couzens struck again at a drive-through restaurant in Kent, where staff dubbed him “the penis guy” because of multiple incidents of flashing.

On Valentine’s Day, 2021, Couzens had been driving around London in a journey that was “not dissimilar to the night on which he kidnapped Sarah Everard”, said Mr Little.

On his way home, he pulled into the restaurant and exposed himself while collecting his food. His car was caught on CCTV but the incident was not immediately reported to the police. However the footage was made available after the second incidence of flashing on February 27.

“My perspective of the police has been altered significantly”, said one of the female takeaway staff who fell victim to Couzens.

“Prior to this I did not have a firm opinion of the police as I have been fortunate enough not to require them.

“However now while I know the police have a duty of care, my trust in the police to treat me well has been diminished.

“I do not like to tar everyone with the same brush but it has been difficult not to do so after knowing what he did for a living and knowing I could have come across him in uniform and not known what he was capable of.”

After Ms Everard’s murder, Couzens was identified as the flasher thanks to his credit card details used to pay for takeaway food, traffic camera evidence showing his whereabouts on those nights, and CCTV footage. The female cyclist also positively identified Couzens as the naked man by the roadside.

An independent inquiry led by Dame Elish Angiolini will consider Couzens’ earlier sexual offending and whether opportunities were missed to stop him before he murdered Ms Everard.
Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
Close
0:00
0:00
Elon Musk and Others Call for Pause on A.I., Citing ‘Profound Risks to Society’
You're Beautiful - James Blunt (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Nashville style execution
You Are So Beautiful
“We've had evidence prior to the pandemic that masks were largely ineffective at preventing community transmission of influenza “
Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz:
An old French tune (by Georges Brassens) Pomplamoose ft. John Schroeder
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz rejects being labeled a "billionaire"
Sattahip Motor Show 20
Jamie Dimon is being deposed over JPMorgan Chase role in Epstein lawsuits
SONATE AU CLAIR DE LUNE - Moonlight sonata
This is how an electric car saves all the energy that he would have spent if he had lived 50 years longer.
A kiss to build a dream on
Brand new security footage has just been released to the public showing the Active shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale drove to Covenant Church School in her Honda Fit this morning, parked, and shot her way into the building
Wiz Khalifa - See You Again ft. Charlie Puth, Furious
Social Media censoring users for saying the true
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Smart Iranian fashion designer teaching dummy TV anchors lesson about reality
Mean Blues
AMERICA, 2023
La Chansonnette
U.S. charges FTX's Bankman-Fried with paying $40 million bribe
Pattaya Addicts
Fallen 'Crypto King' Who Owes Millions to Investors Was Kidnapped and Tortured
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum - Love Dream
Regulators blame social media for SVB's rapid collapse: 'Complete game changer'
Dream a little dream of me
AOC explains why she opposes banning TikTok
Tu Vuo' Fa' L'Americano - Hetty & the Jazzato Band
UK: Humza Yousaf replaces Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister in Scotland
Unchained Melody sung like you've NEVER heard!
In a dramatic U-turn against His Government: Judicial Reform Legislation Must Be Halted, Says Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel Corporation, died at 94
Édith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Sofie)
Powell: Silicon Valley Bank was an 'outlier'
Rondo Alla Turca
Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pro democracy protest
Kiss of fire
Police violence in Paris
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Amadeus violin cover instrumental)
Paris: Some of the police are stepping down and showing solidarity with the protesters.
Tom Jones - I´ll Never Fall In Love Again 1967, 1989, 2001
Donald Trump arrested – Twitter goes wild with doctored pictures
Israel Cachao López - Guajira Clásica
NYPD is setting up barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of Trump arrest.
Edward Maya - Stereo Love (feat. Vika Jigulina) (Extended Mix)
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
La vie en rose
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
Despacito (Piano Cover) - Peter Bence
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
The Temptations - My Girl (Smokey Robinson Tribute) 2006 Kennedy Cent
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
Orlando Cachaito Lopez Redencion
Orbán Viktor: the restructuring of the power relations in the whole of Europe is taking place
Edith Piaf - NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
RADETZKY MARCH-2008-Wien, New Year Concert
The BBC problem about China
Only you (And you alone)
Strikes-Hit UK Pledges 94 Billion Euros In Cost-Of-Living Budget
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
Strangers In The Night
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
Charles Aznavour - La Boheme
UK face biggest fall in spending power for 70 years
Summer time
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
Sting and Stevie Wonder - Fragile (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Aux Champs Elysees
Announcing GPT-4
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
La Mer (Beyond the Sea) – Avalon Jazz Band
Drew Barrymore
She
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
Nathalie Song by Enzo Petrachi Stjepan Hauser Cello
A brief banking situation report
Shape of My Heart - Sting (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
Radiohead - Creep
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
Quizás,Quizás,Quizás - Andrea Bocelli - Jennifer Lopez
'No relation to the American SVB': India's SVC Bank acts to calm depositors amid brand name confusion.
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Multi-Couples
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Pentatonix Havana
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
Paula Cole - Autumn Leaves
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
Oscar Benton Bensonhurst Blues
Saudi Arabia has announced a major breakthrough in diplomacy with Iran after two years of intense talks
OH NANANA vs ABUSADAMENTE
Nina Simone - ”I Put A Spell On You”. Vezi aici cum cântă Jeremy Ragsd
NIGHTWISH - The Phantom Of The Opera
Motorshow 2016 Tanjay Negros Oriental
Monica Bellucci - Ti Amo
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Milena The Voice France 2018
Michael Buble (Help Me Make It Through The Night) feat Loren Allred
Memories Canon In D - Maroon 5 (Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover)
Matteo Simoni - Marina
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - Memories
Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (Berlin 2007 Live)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Romeo And Juliet (Real Live Roadrunni
Marina, Marina - The LUCKY DUCKIES intimist live concert at Guimarães
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On Mauranne The Voice France 2016
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota
LoLa & Hauser - Love Story
Linkin Park Jay-Z - Numb Encore (Live 8 2005)
Hallelujah Mennel Ibtissem, The Voice France Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen & Natasha Rostova - Dance me to the end of love
La casa de papel - Bella Ciao
La Camisa Negra
L'italiano (Toto Cutugno) - The Gypsy Queens
Juanes - La Camisa Negra
Jonathan and Charlotte - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Live Semi Final - U
John Powell - Assassin's Tango
Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On (LIVE in Dortmund)
Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart 2002 Live
Joe Cocker - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Jay Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind LIVE
Jason Mraz - Im Yours (live)
Jarrod Radnich - Bohemian Rhapsody - Virtuosic Piano Solo
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
James Blunt - You're Beautiful & Bonfire Heart (Live at The Nobel Peac)
If You Go Away - Helen Merrill & Stan Getz (Tribute to Virna Lisi)
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
I Say a Little Prayer
Hotel California ( Eagles ) 1994 Live
Historia de un amor - Luz Casal. Vezi interpretarea Biancăi Sumanariu
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spot
Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors
HAVANA by Camila Cabello Zumba Pre Cooldown TML Crew Kramer Pastra
HAUSER and Señorita - I Will Always Love You
HAUSER - Waka Waka
HAUSER - Sway
HAUSER - Lambada
HAUSER - Historia de un Amor
HAUSER - Despacito
Great Pretender
Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice Samba to 'Volare' - Strictly Come
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
GIPSY KINGS VOLARE Penelope Cruz
Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
French Latino - Historia de un Amor
For A Few Dollars More The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)
Flashdance • What a Feeling • Irene Cara
Filip Rudan - “Someone You Loved” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sez
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Enya - Only Time
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (English Version) ft. Sean Paul
Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
Elena Yerevan Historia de un amor
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Symphony [with Andrea Bocelli]
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)
Easy On Me - Adele (Boyce Avenue 90’s style piano acoustic cover) on S
ERA - Ameno
ELENA YEREVAN- Cancion Del Mariachi-IN STUDIO-2017 DPR
Dust In The Wind - Kansas (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Despacito x Shape Of You - Pentatonix
Deep Purple - Child In Time - Live (1970)
David Foster When A Man Loves A WomanIt's A Mans World (SealMichael Bo
Dance me to the end of Love ( Pi-Air Design )
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video]
Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis), played on Böhm Emporio organ
Cielito Lindo
Chico & The Gypsies - Bamboleo
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos • Desperado
Camila Cabello - Havana (Audio) ft. Young Thug
Camila Cabello - Havana ( cover by J.Fla )
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas José Feliciano (Boyce Ave
Buster Benton - Money Is The Name of The Game
Hallelujah Pentatonix
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door Emilia The Voice Kids France
Besame Mucho - Cesaria Evora
Ben E. King - Stand by Me Sax Cover Alexandra Ilieva Thomann
Bella Ciao
Bella Ciao - INSTRUMENTAL
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Bad Romance - Vintage 1920's Gatsby Style Lady Gaga Cover ft. Ariana Savalas & Sarah Reich(1)
BELLA CIAO 2020 - KARAOKE ITALIANO
BAMBOLEO - Gipsy Kings • Antonio Banderas, Katya Virshilas
BAILANDO (original)
Awesome Ukrainian yodeler - SOFIA SHKIDCHENKO (with English subtitles)
Avicii - The Nights
Atom - The Great Gig in the Sky
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Official Ly
Antonio Banderas - Cancion del Mariachi (Desperado)
André Rieu - Zorba's Dance (Sirtaki)
André Rieu - Can't Help Falling In Love
André Rieu & Mirusia - Ave Maria
Andrew Reyes Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down The Voice 2020 (
Andreas Kümmert Whiter Shade Of Pale The Voice of Germany 2013 Showd
And I Love You So
All About That Bass - Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Alan Walker - Faded (Piano Cover)
Ain't No Sunshine -- Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.)
African music
Adriana Vidović - “Creep” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
Adriana Vidović - “Believer” Nokaut 3 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
A Fistful of Dollars - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Tuva
4 Beautiful Soundtracks Relaxing Piano [10min]
2CELLOS - Whole Lotta Love vs. Beethoven 5th Symphony [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal (Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo)
2CELLOS - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Live at Sydney Opera House]
2CELLOS - Despacito [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
13 Year Old Girl Playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) - André Rieu
094.All About That Bass
00 - SADNESS PART 1
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams (Boyce Avenue ft. Conn
What a wonderful world
Moon river
×