Sarah Everard latest – Murder suspect Wayne Couzens appears via video link at Old Bailey as gold necklace found in Kent

A SERVING police officer today appeared in court charged with the kidnap and murder of tragic Sarah Everard.

Wayne Couzens, 48, was held last week after police swooped on his home in Ashford, Kent.

Gun cop Couzens, who joined the Met Police in 2018, appeared via videolink from Belmarsh Prison today for his first crown court appearance at the Old Bailey.

Sarah's family watched remotely as the married dad-of-two – wearing a red sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He appeared to have a large cut on his head and rocked back and forth during the hearing.

Prosecutor Tom Little QC told the judge there has been "a significant and wide-ranging investigation" in the case.

Couzens was remanded in custody ahead of a plea hearing on July 9 at the same court.

A provisional trial date was set for October 25 and is expected to last for four weeks.

Met Police detectives investigating the 33-year-old's death are painstakingly scouring large swathes of Sandwich, Kent.

The item of jewellery, found on top of a car park machine at a local Co-Op, was placed in an evidence bag – but it is not clear if it is connected to the tragic case.

Other officers with sticks were seen searching through a shopping trolley shelter and scanning under cars in the supermarket's car park.

Follow our live blog below for the latest developments in the story…

  • Sarah Grealish

    SARAH EVERARD: CRACKDOWN ON ABUSERS AND STALKERS BACKED BY PEERS IN FRESH GOVERNMENT DEFEATS

    Fresh defeats have been inflicted on the Government by peers seeking changes to domestic abuse legislation, including a move to flag, track and target repeat perpetrators and stalkers.

    The House of Lords backed by 327 to 232, majority 95, a measure which would see culprits put on the violent and sex offender register and subjected to monitoring and management through Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa).

    Under its terms, the Government will also have to produce a comprehensive strategy for dealing with domestic abusers and stalkers, within a year of the Domestic Abuse Bill becoming law.

    It comes amid continuing concerns that dangerous individuals are “falling through the cracks”, enabling them to move from one victim to another with impunity.

    The vote followed a lengthy and at times harrowing debate as a number of peers recounted their own traumatic experiences of harassment, threats and violence against women.

  • Sarah Grealish

    COUZENS DUE ON TRIAL IN OCTOBER

    A SERVING police officer is due to go on trial in October accused of kidnapping and murdering tragic Sarah Everard.

    Wayne Couzens, 48, was held last week after police swooped on his home in Deal, Kent.

    He appeared to have a large cut on his head and rocked back and forth during the hearing.

    Couzens was remanded in custody ahead of a plea hearing on July 9 at the same court.

    A provisional trial date was set for October 25 and is expected to last for four weeks.

    A court sketch of Wayne Couzens as he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on SaturdayCredit: SWNS
  • Sarah Grealish

    POST-MORTEM AND INQUEST

    Sarah, 33, vanished after walking home from a friend's house in Clapham, South West London, on March 3.

    Her body had to be identified by dental records after being found in a builder's bag in Kent, it is said.

    A post-mortem has taken place but a cause of death has not been released – with an inquest due to open and adjourn this week.

    Credit: Enterprise
  • Sarah Grealish

    GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF ‘FAILING GIRLS AND WOMEN’

    Commenting on Saturday’s vigil, and the police crack-down on those at the event, Nick Thomas-Symonds told the Government it is “failing to address violence against women and girls”.

    The Shadow home secretary told MPs this afternoon: “And whilst the event was a vigil not a protest, the scenes from Clapham should be a red warning light to the Government that ministers should not be rushing through laws cracking down on protest.

    “The truth is this Government is failing to address violence against women and girls and ministers even want to curtail their right to protest about it. It is a chronic failure from this Government and meetings and reopening surveys alone are nowhere near enough.

    “And meetings that we understand the women and equalities minister won’t even be attending this evening.”

    Mr Thomas-Symonds continued: “The 296-page Bill we will consider later today contains the word memorial eight times and fails to include the word women once.”

  • Sarah Grealish

    POLICE WATCHDOG LAUNCH NEW PROBE INTO MET’S HANDLING OF SARAH EVERARD CASE

    THE police watchdog has announced two new separate investigations relating to the Sarah Everard case.

    One probe will examine how suspect Wayne Couzens sustained head injuries in custody – while the other will look into an “inappropriate” graphic allegedly shared by a cop who took part in search operations.

    Read more here.

  • Sarah Grealish

    WOMAN FLASHED AT VIGIL

    A WOMAN who was flashed by a man after Sarah Everard’s vigil says she was refused help by police, with a male officer telling her: “I don’t want to deal with rioters”.

    Georgina, 27, was walking home from the event in Clapham Common on Saturday evening when the man exposed himself to her. She says she reported the incident to police at the time because they happened to be nearby.

    But when a female officer said she would investigate, her male colleague interjected, telling Georgina he “didn’t want to deal with it”.

    She told Good Morning Britain: “As I headed home, there was a man who was quite incoherent, he had his genitalia out as I tried to walk past him, I felt really uncomfortable.”

    She added: “This isn’t the first time this has happened to me, I know this has happened to many, many women and a lot of times we haven’t had an opportunity to talk to police right at that moment.”

  • Sarah Grealish

    COUZENS IN COURT – CONTINUED

    Couzens, who appeared to have a large cut on his head, was remanded in custody with a provisional trial date set for October 25.

    He was charged on Friday with Sarah's kidnap and murder after she vanished while walking home last Wednesday.

    The announcement came moments before it emerged Couzens was taken to hospital again for a second time with head injuries.

    He went back to St George's Hospital, where he was taken for the first time for treatment, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

  • Sarah Grealish

    COUZENS IN COURT – CONTINUED

    The married dad wore a red sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms as he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

    Couzens, who was not on duty at the time of Sarah's death, was remanded in custody on Saturday after appearing in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

    Couzens is accused of kidnapping Sarah in the Poynders Road area of Clapham.

    He was charged on Friday with Sarah's kidnap and murder after she vanished while walking home last Wednesday.

  • Sarah Grealish

    COUZENS IN COURT

    Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with the kidnap and murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Sarah Everard.

    The 48-year-old appeared via video link from the Category A Belmarsh Prison in south-east London for the hearing on Tuesday morning.

  • Sarah Grealish

    SAFETY APP SEES SURGE AFTER SARAH'S DEATH

    A personal safety app created in the wake of a 20 year old hairdresser's murder by her jealous ex-boyfriend seven years has seen a surge in downloads since the death of Sarah Everard.

    Hollie Guard, named after tragic Hollie Hazzard, who was killed in February 2014, has now been downloaded by more than 200,000 people, said a spokesperson for a charity set up in her memory.

    A 'significant number' of the downloads have come since marketing executive Sarah Everard was kidnapped and murdered.

    "The personal safety app was born from a chance meeting between PanicGuard founder, Mikkel Dissing, and the Gazzard family, who tragically lost their daughter, Hollie, at the hands of her ex-partner at a hair salon in Gloucester," the spoksperson said.

    "Hollie's father, Nick, set-up the Hollie Gazzard Trust to raise awareness of domestic violence and partnered with PanicGuard to produce Hollie Guard – a free mobile app that raises an alert with a simple shake."

  • Sarah Grealish

    WELSH COPS PRAISED FOR VIGIL RESPONSE

    Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams has praised cops in Wales for the “sensitive way” in which vigils to Sarah Everard were handled over the weekend.

    She told a Welsh Government press conference: “Can I say how grateful I am to women and men in Wales who over this weekend carried out vigils to mark the death of Sarah… and the police that oversaw those gatherings in a really respectful way.

    “We have to remember we’re still in the middle of a pandemic and we need people to be cognizant of that.

    “But I would commend both those that wanted to have their voices heard this weekend in Wales, and the police for the sensitive way that that was handled.”

  • Sarah Grealish

    SARAH EVERARD: JUST 1.4% OF RAPE ALLEGATIONS ARE PROSECUTED, ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL STATS

    Just 1.4 per cent of rape allegations are prosecuted, shocking official stats show – the lowest figure on record.

    Furious campaigners have warned that many victims are staying silent about their abuse because they have lost faith in the courts – with England’s courts now have a backlog of some 56,000 cases.

    Labour say rape cases hang on the evidence of the victim, and leaving them to go unheard for many months or even years only harms the chances of getting a conviction.

    Ministers have vowed to crack down on sexual abuse and harassment of women in the wake of Sarah’s killing. They are urging women to come forward with their experiences of abuse and ideas for change.

    Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins said “nothing is off the table” when it comes to making Britain’s streets safer.

  • Sarah Grealish

    FORMER MET CHIEF SAYS POLITICANS 'RUSHED INTO JUDGEMENT'

    Sir Peter Fahy, former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, accused politicians of "rushing into judgment" over how police handle protests during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Appearing on Good Morning Britain he was asked if Metropolitan Police chief Dame Cressida Dick had "a case to answer" over the force's handling of the Sarah Everard vigil and amid calls for her to step down.

    Sir Peter said: "No, I think that just shows the ridiculousness of the situation, that politicians pass legislation and then rush into judgment on social media [without] even receiving the full report of what's actually happened."

    He said Dame Cressida was an "outstanding police leader", adding that police face "a really difficult situation" and that politicians should understand its "complexity".

  • Sarah Grealish

    DOMINIC RAAB INTERVENED DURING HARASSMENT

    Dominic Raab said he had intervened after seeing a woman being harassed and that the alleged perpetrator "left with his tail between his legs".

    The Foreign Secretary, asked on Times Radio whether he would be comfortable intervening to help a woman being harassed on the street, said: "Yes, I've done it before, absolutely.

    "People are nervous in those situations, they might be nervous that someone would pull a knife or something like that, and of course we need to be careful, and careful about the advice we give.

    "But I do think if you see anyone being attacked, but particularly a woman or someone vulnerable, we have got a duty as citizens to not just look the other way.

    "Whether it is to intervene or to immediately alert others and call the police or even just to take a picture as everyone does these days with iPhones, I think we do need to take on our responsibilities as members of our communities and our society."

  • Sarah Grealish

    VIGILS IMPORTANT BUT 'COULD BE SUPERSPREADING'

    DR HILARY today warned vigils in memory of Sarah Everard are “superspreading” events for Covid “however strong people feel”.

    The Good Morning Britain doc said he understood how important the memorials were after the 33-year-old vanished – with a cop since charged over her murder.

    Speaking of the mass protests on Good Morning Britain today, Dr Hilary said he expected the UK would see another wave in two to three weeks after the gatherings.

    He said: “I know how important the protest for Sarah Everard is… but we have to be really careful. However strongly you feel it is putting lives at risk down the line. 

    “I’m all in favour of peaceful protest with a cause as great as this but there must be a creative way of doing it.”

    He pointed to Cheltenham Festival, which was held last year as the outbreak first began, with fears the event “may have accelerated” the spread of Covid.

  • Sarah Grealish

    GOLD NECKLACE FOUND AT CO-OP CAR PARK IN SANDWICH, KENT

    Officers have cordoned off a Co-op car park and a pathway close to woodland as part of the investigation.

    Cops yesterday placed a gold necklace found on top of a car park machine in an evidence bag but it is not clear if it is connected to the tragic case.

    Others officers with sticks were seen searching through a shopping trolley shelter and under cars in the car park.

    Specialist police divers also waded through a stream next to a pathway as the new search continues.

    Police tape is also up around a Salvation Army clothing bin and a recycling bin next to public toilets.

  • Sarah Grealish

    POLICE WATCHDOG LAUNCH NEW PROBE INTO MET’S HANDLING OF SARAH EVERARD CASE

    THE police watchdog has announced two new separate investigations relating to the Sarah Everard case.

    One probe will examine how suspect Wayne Couzens sustained head injuries in custody – while the other will look into an “inappropriate” graphic allegedly shared by a cop who took part in search operations.

    Read more here.

  • Sarah Grealish

    ARRESTS AT 'KILL THE BILL' PROTEST

    FOUR people were arrested after crowds gathered outside Parliament as anger grows over police tactics at a vigil for Sarah Everard.

    Hundreds of people marched in London yesterday to protest over violence against women despite cops asking demonstrators to “head home immediately”.

    Protesters marched from Parliament Square towards Westminster Bridge, where a group was pictured sitting in the street. They then headed towards the Soho area.

    A group of demonstrators also staged a sit-in outside Scotland Yard – the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police – as anger grows over the police’s handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard at the weekend.

    Police confirmed today four people were arrested and two were slapped with fixed penalty notices.

    Three were held on suspicion of breaching the Health Protection Regulations under Covid laws, while a forth was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

  • Britta Zeltmann

    FOUR ARRESTED AT PROTESTS

    The Met Police has released a statement after protesters gathered in central London yesterday.

    Temporary Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors, said: “Whilst I understand why people feel the need to express their views at this time, we must remember that we are still in the middle of a pandemic, and that there is the constant risk of transmitting the Coronavirus."

    She added: “Three people were arrested on suspicion of breaching the Health Protection Regulations. Two remain in custody and the third was released after being issued with a fixed penalty notice.

    "A fourth person was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and remains in custody.

    “In addition to the arrests, two people were issued with fixed penalty notices. We will continue to review how we police events such as this and I would urge people to think carefully before joining any future protests.”

  • Britta Zeltmann

    SICK MESSAGE

    A cop guarding the site where Sarah Everard’s remains were found sent a twisted joke to colleagues on social media about her kidnap and murder.

    The Met PC shared a meme — containing six images of a uniformed officer abducting a woman — in a WhatsApp group the night after the grim find.

    Sickened colleagues reported the probationer to bosses the next day and he was immediately moved off the inquiry and placed on restricted duties with no direct involvement with the public.

    Read the full story here.

  • Britta Zeltmann

    'TAKING ACTION'

    Boris Johnson says the Government is "taking action" to make streets safer, with better lighting, CCTV, tougher sentences and increased police patrols.

    The Prime Minister tweeted last night: "We must drive out violence against women and girls and make every part of the criminal justice system work better to protect and defend them."

  • Joseph Gamp

    SARAH EVERARD: THE LATEST

    • Serving Met Police office Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with kidnapping and killing the marketing executive
    • He sustained head injuries on March 10 and March 12 and was treated in hospital on both occasions.
    • He due to appear at the Old Bailey today (Tuesday March 16)
    • Large numbers of demonstrators gathered in central London on Monday evening to protest over the Met's handling of a vigil held for Ms Everard on Saturday night.
    • Hundreds of people blocked traffic on Westminster Bridge before moving to New Scotland Yard, shouting "shame on you".
    • Meanwhile in Sandwich, Kent, officers continue to conduct inquiries into Ms Everard's murder and reportedly found a gold necklace, which has not yet been connected with the case

    WAYNE COUZENS TO APPEAR AT OLD BAILEY TODAY

    The serving police officer accused of Sarah Everard's murder will appear at Old Bailey.

    Wayne Couzens, 48, will appear at the London court charged with the kidnap and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard.

    JOHNSON VOWS TO DO 'EVERYTHING WE CAN' TO MAKE STREETS SAFE FOR WOMEN

    Boris Johnson has said the Government is committed to doing "everything we can" to make the streets safe for women in the wake of the killing of Sarah Everard.

    Following a meeting of the Government's Crime and Justice Taskforce chaired by the Prime Minister, Downing Street said it was taking a series of "immediate steps" to improve security.

    They include a doubling of the Safer Streets fund – which provides neighbourhood measures such as better lighting and CCTV – to £45 million.

    At the same time it said ministers were committed to working with police forces and with police and crime commissioners to ensure the measures were more focussed on preventing sexual violence.

    GOVERNMENT IS TAKING 'IMMEDIATE STEPS' TO PROVIDE BETTER REASSURANCES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS AFTER SARAH EVERARD KILLING

    The Government has said that it is taking "immediate steps" to provide further reassurance for women and girls following the killing of Sarah Everard.

    Following a meeting of the Criminal Justice Taskforce chaired by Boris Johnson, Downing Street said it was doubling the size of the Safer Streets fund, which provides neighbourhood measures such as better lighting and CCTV, to £45 million.

    It said ministers were committed to working with police and police and crime commissioners to ensure these measures targeted areas of potential concern for women and girls and were more focussed on preventing sexual violence.

    Mr Johnson said in a statement: "We must do everything we can to ensure our streets are safe, and we are bringing in landmark legislation to toughen sentences and put more police on the streets.

    "We are also now taking further steps to provide greater reassurance, such as providing better lighting and greater use of CCTV in parks and routes women may take on their walks home. Ultimately, we must drive out violence against women and girls and make every part of the criminal justice system work to better protect and defend them."

    Source: Read Full Article