He could have been stopped. Wayne Couzens, the Met PC responsible for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard, had a history that should have ended his career before March 2021.
Yesterday, Couzens was sentenced to 19 months in prison for three incidents of indecent exposure. The former officer is already serving a whole life sentence. These flashing incidents occurred prior to Everard’s murder, one of which took place just days before.
Yet action wasn’t taken, and no one contacted one of the women who reported it. In a powerful victim statement, she concluded: “If he had been held accountable when we had reported the crime, we could have saved Sarah.”
Acts such as flashing have for years been known as a gateway crime for ever more severe offences. In the words of Mrs Justice May, that Couzens was not caught or even questioned “confirmed and strengthened [his] mind the dangerous belief in his invincibility and power to sexually dominate women without being stopped.”
Scotland Yard has rightly apologised for its failings. Barely a week goes by where the force does not have to express some regret. Yesterday’s sentencing must act as a catalyst to ensure that future flashing cases are followed up. Otherwise, we will be left with yet more ‘what ifs?’
Small boats dilemma
International law exists for a purpose. Whether enshrined in conventions, treaties or standards, it is key to promoting economic development, social welfare, peace and security. These are all in Britain’s interests.
We are a signatory to the 1953 European Convention on Human Rights, designed to protect human and political rights in Europe. So it is of concern that the Government admits that its plan on the small boats crisis, including preventing people reaching the UK illegally from claiming asylum or using human rights law to halt their removal, “pushes the boundaries of international law”.
A series of Tory governments have proved open to contradicting the UK’s international obligations, from the “limited and specific” breach in the Internal Markets Bill to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. These serve only to damage our nation’s reputation abroad.
Britain needs a plan to address the small boats crisis that provides for legal, safe routes while clamping down on people smugglers. Unworkable laws help with neither.
Science boost for girls
In celebration of International Women’s Day and British Science Week, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, best known for presenting BBC One’s The Sky At Night, has been made a “Barbie Role Model”.
It is a deserved recognition of her achievements in making space and science accessible to girls. Dr Aderin-Pocock said: “These subjects are just too important to be left to the guys because, through science, you can literally change the world.” Hear, hear.
