Sarah Everard’s killer ‘should never have been an officer’: Report demands overhaul of police vetting
Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer and there needs to be a “radical overhaul” of police recruitment to stop “another Couzens operating in plain sight”, an inquiry into the rape and murder of Sarah Everard has found.
The independent report – the first of three that will be published by Lady Elish Angiolini – delivered a damning verdict on how three separate police forces “could and should” have stopped Couzens.
The Home Office commissioned inquiry was established to understand how the off-duty Metropolitan Police officer was able to carry out his horrendous crime.
Sarah Everard was walking home from a friend’s house when Couzens snatched her in Clapham
Today’s report examined Couzens’ career and highlights how major red flags about him were “repeatedly ignored” by police vetting and investigations.
A preference for “extreme and violent pornography” and “a history of excessive spending and personal debt” were among the warning signs that were missed.
The inquiry said it has also seen evidence that Couzens allegedly committed a “very serious sexual assault against a child” before his policing career even began.
The firearms officer will never be released from prison after he used his police-issued warrant card to stage a fake arrest and snatch Sarah Everard in Clapham, south London, on 3 March 2021.
He drove the 33-year-old marketing executive to a secluded rural area near Dover in Kent, raped and strangled her with his police-issue belt before burning her body in a fridge and dumping her remains in a pond.
After the harrowing killing, it emerged there had been concerns about Couzens’ behaviour while he was a police officer, with reports he was nicknamed “the rapist”.
Read more:
How Sarah Everard’s killer was caught
Timeline: Wayne Couzen’s behaviour and crimes
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‘Couzens was never fit to be police officer’
Couzens indecently exposed himself three times before the murder, including twice at a drive-through fast food restaurant in Kent in the days before the killing.
He was not caught despite driving his own car and using his own credit card at the time.
Publishing her findings, Lady Elish said: “Failures of investigations, failures of recruitment processes, and failures of vetting policy and practice are a depressingly familiar refrain in policing.
“Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer. And, without a significant overhaul, there is nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight.”
Couzens failed at interview when he first tried to join Kent Police in 2004.
He became a volunteer constable with the county’s special constabulary in 2006, before failing to gain vetting clearance in a further application to join the regular police force in 2008.
Despite that vetting failure, he continued to work as a volunteer officer.
The next missed opportunity identified by the report was in 2011, when Couzens moved to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC).
His application was vetted by Thames Valley Police, which recommended that Couzens should not pass vetting on the grounds of his financial situation.
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‘I’m sorry Couzens wasn’t arrested earlier’
Couzens’ financial issues
At the time he had an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, used by those in debt wishing to avoid bankruptcy, but the recommendation was not followed.
During an episode in 2013, when he was serving as an authorised firearms officer with the CNC, Couzens was “reported missing” from home. But the CNC was not informed and therefore denied an opportunity to revisit his suitability as a constable.
Couzens then moved to the Met in 2018 but again his initial vetting was “flawed”.
It failed to take into account entries linked to him on the Police National Database, which included his car being linked to an allegation of indecent exposure in 2015.
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‘We could have saved her’: Victims of Couzens’ indecent exposure shared ‘survivors guilt’ in court
The report found that Couzens had substantial unsecured debt by the time he was arrested for Ms Everard’s murder, which “undoubtedly affected his ability to serve as an authorised firearms officer”.
It also details allegations of how Couzens tried to show colleagues violent and extreme pornography. On at least two occasions, he allegedly shared sexually graphic images with young women.
But the most glaring missed opportunities to disrupt Couzens’ offending and end his police career were the failures to properly investigate allegations of indecent assault.
Sarah Everard’s disappearance sparked a nationwide appeal for information in March 2021
Kent Police made ‘grave error’, report finds
Couzens was the subject of such allegations on four separate occasions before his arrest.
In 2015, a member of the public telephoned Kent Police having just seen a man driving a car while indecently exposing himself.
Almost immediately, officers identified Couzens as the registered keeper of the car and the only male insured to drive it.
But Kent Police closed the case and took no further action, which is described as a “grave error”.
The same force responded to an allegation of indecent exposure directed at a lone female cyclist in a narrow, country lane in Deal in 2020.
Couzens was convicted of the offence in 2023, but the initial case was closed with limited investigation.
Then, just days before he abducted Sarah Everard, Couzens was reported for exposing himself at a drive-through McDonald’s restaurant in Swanley.
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Couzens was arrested on 9 March 2021, seven days after Sarah Everard went missing
But evidence such as CCTV was not collected or considered in the Met’s investigation, which “fell below the standards any victim of crime should expect”.
The inquiry says it is aware of five other alleged incidents of sexual offending involving Couzens which were never reported to the police.
In her report, Lady Elish, a former solicitor general for Scotland, lays out 16 recommendations to “bring about the necessary changes”.
They include an overhaul of police vetting and recruitment, improvements to the police response to indecent exposure and an immediate review of indecent exposure charges against serving police officers.
“I would urge all those in authority in every police force in the country to read this report and take immediate action,” she said. “Sarah’s parents and loved ones live in the perpetual grief and pain of having lost Sarah in this way.
“Her death, and the public discourse it caused, should galvanise those responsible for policing to make sure something like this can never happen again.”
Floral tributes left at Clapham Common in the wake of Sarah Everard’s death
Sarah Everard’s family respond to inquiry
Sarah Everard’s family “strongly support” the recommendations, which will “improve the safety of women and girls”.
In a statement, they said: “The inquiry has helped us, not just because of its significant findings, but because its implementation made us feel that Sarah’s life was valued and her memory honoured.
“Her death has not been dismissed as a tragic event to be acknowledged with sympathy and then forgotten – questions have been raised and action taken to investigate how this tragedy happened.”
They added: “It is obvious that Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer. Whilst holding a position of trust, in reality he was a serial sex offender.
“Warning signs were overlooked throughout his career and opportunities to confront him were missed. We believe that Sarah died because he was a police officer – she would never have got into a stranger’s car.
“It is almost three years now since Sarah died. We no longer wait for her call; we no longer expect to see her. We know she won’t be there at family gatherings.
“But the desperate longing to have her with us remains and her loss of Sarah pervades every part of our lives.”
The second part of the inquiry will take a broader look at police vetting and recruitment nationally, as well as police culture and the protection of women in public spaces.
Part three will investigate the crimes and career of former Metropolitan Police Officer David Carrick, who was jailed for at least 30 years last year after being unmasked as one of Britain’s worst ever sex offenders.
UK
Teacher accused of having sex with two students says she ruined her ‘dream job’ with stupid ‘mistakes’, jury hears
A teacher accused of having sex with two teenage pupils has told a jury she ruined her “dream job” with stupid “mistakes”.
Rebecca Joynes denies having sex with the two boys but admitted, in Manchester Crown Court, to having broken safeguarding rules by being in contact with them on Snapchat and having them back to her apartment in Salford Quays.
The 30-year-old was already suspended from her job and on bail for alleged sexual activity with boy A, 15, when she allegedly took the virginity of a second boy, known as boy B, 16, who she later became pregnant by.
Joynes denies that any sexual activity took place with boy A – whose semen was recovered from her bedsheets.
In court she also maintains that the relationship with boy B only began after he had left school and she had lost her job, so no legal offence was committed.
The court heard how she later wrote to boy B, saying: “Every inch of you is perfect. You are all I ever dream about.”
Joynes said: “This was a year after he left school. I was in love with him. I was pregnant with his child.”
She also described teaching as her “dream job” but said she had “ruined” her chances of working in the profession after making “mistakes”.
On Tuesday, the defendant was cross-examined by Joe Allman, prosecuting, for a second day, as he pointed out “similarities” in both cases.
Mr Allman alleged that both boys were 15 when she began taking them into her flat and she communicated with both on Snapchat – where messages are deleted and not recoverable by police.
Rebecca Joynes arrives at Manchester Crown Court on Monday. Pic: PA
In both cases, the activity was a secret from their parents and they both flirted with her, boy A, calling her “sexy” and boy B, sending her a message saying, “Get your tits out”.
“What did you reply?” Mr Allman said.
“Laughing faces,” Joynes replied.
But instead of shutting down such behaviour, Mr Allman accused Joynes of giving “ambiguous” responses.
The ex-teacher maintained that sex with boy B only began after he had turned 16 and left school, and she had been dismissed from her job.
But boy B told the jury that while he was still at school, Joynes straddled and kissed him at her flat and then on a second occasion they had sex.
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This was after Joynes had been arrested, suspended from her job and bailed as police investigated allegations of contact with boy A.
She claimed that boy B contacted her to see how she was and she liked the attention, as she was lonely, and a friendship grew.
The court heard they would go for walks and he would visit her flat as she preferred staying in her apartment in Salford rather than with her parents on the Wirral.
Joynes said: “Speaking to my family, I had made mistakes, I had basically ruined my chances with my dream job.”
Mr Allman said that Joynes had a supportive family, sister and a best friend back home but instead chose the company of a 15-year-old boy.
“How on Earth can that second scenario be a draw for you?” Mr Allman said.
Joynes said: “I was stupid but I did choose that option, obviously I was breaking my bail conditions.”
The defendant claimed that after the relationship became sexual, it soured and she said that boy B became “controlling”.
Mr Allman said: “Let’s look at the reality of the situation. You were 29, living in a flat, had a good income, drove an Audi A1.
“He was a child, you were an adult. He was a pupil, you were a teacher.
“He lived with his mum and dad, they were not supposed to know about your liaisons with him. Who was controlling who?”
Jurors heard Joynes and boy B rowed and could not decide on whether to keep the baby or have an abortion.
Boy B claims he tried to end the relationship but did not know how to, called her a “paedo” and told her to find someone her own age but claimed emotional pressure came from Joynes to keep their relationship going.
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Joynes denies six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, including two while being a person in a position of trust.
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning.
The frustration and despair of Tory MPs felt towards Rishi Sunak’s top team is revealed in leaked WhatsApp messages obtained by Sky News.
One MP called the parliamentary operation a “shitshow” and “crazy”, while another said they were “at a loss” at the handling of a crunch Monday night vote on excluding MPs arrested on suspicion of serious sexual or violent offences.
They echo comments Tory MPs have made privately to Sky News.
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There is fury today among Tory MPs after most found themselves on the losing side of a vote on a Lib Dem and Labour motion to exclude any MP arrested for a serious offence from the parliamentary estate, which would bring Westminster into line with many other workplaces.
The bulk of Tory MPs backed a different plan – to exclude MPs at the point of charge, arguing that MPs could easily become the target of vexatious complaints.
It was a free vote, which meant MPs did not have to vote on party lines.
However, in a move that baffled Conservative MPs, when the Commons came to vote to overturn the opposition motion, the Tory whips did not put up “tellers” – vote counters – and so it could not be held, meaning the opposition motion passed.
This often happens because of disorganisation or confusion about events in the chamber, and often marks a failing of either the Tory whips or the Commons leader’s office – figures appointed by Mr Sunak.
The WhatsApps show a government minister – Anne Marie Trevelyan – summoning Tories after initially losing the Lib Dem vote: “Anyone on estate who didn’t vote on amendment O please return asap! Lost amend by one vote. Otherwise the decision is arrest Not charge.”
Other Tories – Jill Mortimer and Jack Brereton – add weight to the appeal to vote down the Lib Dem motion, as does minister Greg Hands.
Brendan Clarke-Smith calls the Lib Dem plan to exclude MPs from parliament on arrest “an attack on basic civil liberties”.
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However, Cambridgeshire MP Anthony Browne suddenly announces three minutes later: “Division off!”
There is incredulity with Pauline Latham demanding to know what has happened, adding: “This is crazy.”
Conservative MP Angela Richardson said the vote was a shitshow. Pic: House of Commons
Miriam Cates explains to colleagues there were no tellers, Angela Richardson says “what a shitshow!”, Andrea Leadsom says “A sad day”. Ms Cates says: “I am completely at a loss to understand why those of us who shouted ‘no’ were not told that there were no tellers” – indicating frustration with Mr Sunak’s parliamentary operation.
Mr Clarke-Smith says: “Angela better hope her interview goes well then. Unbelievable.” This is a reference to Angela Rayner, who is currently under police investigation and could be interviewed under caution in coming weeks. She denies all allegations and has not been arrested and Labour says this will not happen, but even if she were, she would not be excluded because the reason for arrest is unlikely to pass the serious offence test.
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The dialogue concludes with Mr Brereton saying: “We’re all going to be banned from the estate now…” and Ms Cates saying, “Watch the vexatious complaints roll in…”
One Tory said there was an “end of days vibe” in the Tory Party and the messages were evidence of a “meltdown” because the Tory whips can’t handle simple votes.
They too call it a “shitshow”.
A mother is facing jail after she failed to inform police that her teenage son knew about a terrorist plot to bomb central London.
Nabeela Anjum, 48, a biomedical scientist at St James’s Hospital in Leeds, tried to persuade her 15-year-old son to inform on his friend but when he refused she failed to take matters into her own hands.
She was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court of two counts of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism.
Her son’s associate, Al Arfat Hassan, then aged 19, from Enfield, North London, had watched the same ISIS video tutorial used by the Manchester Arena bomber, Salman Abedi, and bought two of the three chemicals needed to make a similar bomb.
He repeatedly looked up the “rewards” for martyrs in paradise and filmed himself holding a machete and two bottles of chemicals, before adjusting his hair and saying: “I need to go out looking nice though. Final moments and that.”
Hassan’s girlfriend, Tasnia Ahmed, now 21, was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court last month of failing to inform police and is awaiting sentence.
She repeatedly told Hassan she “loved” his violence and his ultra-strict interpretation of Islam, until getting cold feet and pretending she had cancer, leading him to threaten “carnage” if she left him.
Al Arfat Hassan posed with a sword
Tasnia Ahmed
Nabeela Anjum’s son Sameer Anjum, who can now be named after a judge lifted an anonymity order, supplied Hassan with the ISIS video which instructed extremists in the West how to manufacture a homemade bomb and demonstrated how to murder a live prisoner with a knife.
Hassan used the stage name Official TS and made drill rap videos which began by revelling in gang violence and eventually ended up glorifying the killings of the Taliban and ISIS.
Sameer Anjum
Sameer Anjum and al Arfat Hassan spoke regularly on Facetime
He gathered 13.6m views and streams on YouTube and Spotify and befriended Sameer, a 15-year-old from Roundhay in Leeds, who promoted his videos on TikTok and began calling himself Young TS.
The pair never met but communicated daily by WhatsApp and Facetime, played the Call Of Duty video game and shared ISIS propaganda videos, talking about their desire for martyrdom and the rewards they expected in paradise.
Hassan and the teenager used a simple code, with the words “cupcake” to mean a bomb and “marketplace” to be the target, and talked about purchasing miniature lightbulbs, which could be used as components for improvised detonators.
Sameer pestered his mother to buy him knives but, when she refused, Hassan sent him £50 and he used her driving licence and a false email address to purchase a hunting knife online which he showed off to his mother, posing masked in front of a black jihadi flag.
Sameer Anjum posing with a knife
On 17 February 2022, Sameer realised that Hassan was planning to go through with his plan to launch an attack in central London and begged his mother for a train ticket to go and try to talk him out of it.
She refused and told him to call the police, but he replied: “Literally ima do everything i possibly can to stop it but i ain’t doing what u said. I could jus never ever bring myself to speak to the feds [police] ever.”
However, instead of calling police herself, Nabeela Anjum told her son to delete any contacts from his phone, adding: “You won’t tell on him to protect him from doing something and I want to protect my son.”
Adam Birkby, prosecuting, told the court: “As the adult in the room between these two young men, she should have contacted the police herself and told them of Hassan’s plan.”
Hassan was caught by chance ten days later when he tried to leave the country for Bangladesh and his phone was seized and downloaded.
Nabeela Anjum’s concern was “limited to what might happen to Sameer if Hassan’s terrorist act was prevented by her disclosing what she knew to the police,” Mr Birkby said.
He added: “She was not concerned about the potential harm which would be caused to members of the public if it succeeded.
“Mrs Anjum put protecting her son against the risk of arrest and prosecution above protecting the public against the risk of Hassan committing an act of terrorist violence.”
Sameer, who spent periods off school with anxiety and depression, collected over 140 videos of ISIS propaganda, including graphic videos of the execution of captive soldiers, civilians, and men murdered for being homosexual.
Nabeela Anjum, who also suffered from depression, was said to be a “loving mother” who had an “unorthodox” relationship with her son in which they were more like friends.
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She tried to persuade him to break off contact with Hassan after she became aware that Sameer had increasingly radical views and was making threatening videos and posting them on TikTok under the name Masked Mujahid.
Nabeela Anjum initially told him that Islamic fighters were “nothing but murderers in this day and time” but later told him there were “truths” in what ISIS militants were saying.
Abdul Iqbal KC, defending, described Sameer as a “spoiled brat, a fool and an angry, hateful bigot” who downloaded and shared “awful, abhorrent, and disgusting” material.
“Sadly he is manipulative and he misleads people,” Mr Iqbal said. “He can deceive others when it suits him. He has tried to mislead his mother and others.”
Hassan was jailed earlier this year for possessing chemicals for terrorist purposes and Sameer for sharing the bomb-making video and failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism.
Nabeela Anjum denied the two charges which she was accused of.
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Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing North East said: “This demonstrates how important it is to report serious information to the police.
“You may think that you are helping, and protecting, someone by withholding information but you are not, and it can make things worse.
“We ask that if you are concerned about anyone or you’ve spotted worrying behaviour then please call the national Police Prevent Advice Line in confidence, and our specially trained officers will listen carefully to your concerns.”
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