Sarah Everard trial: Ex-Met officer Wayne Couzens accused of murder to enter plea today
WAYNE COUZENS, the former Metropolitan Police officer accused of abducting Sarah Everard in March, will appear before the Old Bailey today for a plea hearing.
The suspect pleaded guilty in June to the kidnap and rape of Ms Everard. However, whilst his barrister said “responsibility for the killing is also admitted”, he has yet to answer the central charge of murder.
Ms Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, was abducted on March 3 whilst walking home from a friend’s home in Clapham.
She was reported missing the following day by her boyfriend.
Police found the victim’s body inside a large builder’s bag on March 10 in Ashford, Kent.
She was formally identified using her dental records.
Whilst an initial post mortem was inconclusive, later investigation determined she died from compression to the neck.
Ms Everard left her friend’s flat in the Clapham Junction area, on March 3, at around 9pm.
The journey to her home was approximately two-and-a-half miles.
CCTV cameras recorded the victim walking along the route prior to her abduction.
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Mr Couzens’ car, a white Vauxhall Astra, was picked in the area by bus camera footage, according to police.
The defendant pleaded guilty to Ms Everard’s kidnap and rape in a 20-minute hearing last month.
He addressed the Old Bailey from HMP Belmarsh via video link.
Some of Ms Everard’s family were in court to hear the pleas.
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Mr Couzens had worked for the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command.
This unit is tasked with protecting Parliament and foreign embassies across London.
His wife was initially arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, but will face no further action.
Ms Everard’s death sparked outrage and protests over women’s safety across the UK.
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On Saturday March 13 police broke-up a vigil on Clapham Common which contravened coronavirus regulations.
The Duchess of Cambridge attended the vigil to lay flowers.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick later said this was legal because “she was working”.
The future Queen also wrote a personal letter to Ms Everard’s family.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror an insider said: “This was a deeply personal and heartfelt letter, simply to express her absolute sadness at what Sarah's family and loved ones are going through.
“The Duchess knows that no words can change what has happened, but wanted to let them know that they and Sarah are in her thoughts.”