Police officer admits to kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard and ‘accepts responsibility’ for killing her

A British police officer has pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of a woman whose disappearance as she walked home sparked outrage.

British police officer PC Wayne Couzens has pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard.

The Old Bailey heard Couzens, 48, accepted responsibility for the killing of Ms Everard but was not asked to enter a plea to a charge of murder.

Sarah was reported missing in Clapham, south London, on March 3.

A major police investigation was launched and her body was found a week later in woodland in Kent.

British police officer PC Wayne Couzens had admitted to killing Sarah Everard. Picture: METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP

PC Wayne Couzens has pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard.

Couzens was not asked to enter a plea for a count of murder but his defence told the court he had admitted responsibility for the killing.

A medical report on Couzens is awaited.

Couzens was wearing khaki trousers and a grey sweatshirt as he appeared by video link from Belmarsh high-security prison in southwest London, where he is being held on remand.

He responded “guilty, sir” to the charge of kidnapping Everard “unlawfully and by force or fraud” on March 3 and also pleaded guilty to a second charge of rape between March 2 and 10.

A further hearing before Lord Justice Fulford is due to take place on July 9.

Ms Everard, 33, disappeared from south London in March and was later discovered more than 50 miles away in Kent.

A post mortem report revealed the marketing executive, originally from York, had been strangled.

Police Officers arrest a woman during a vigil on Clapham Common, where floral tributes have been placed for Sarah Everard. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

People gather to pay their respects at a vigil on Clapham Common, where floral tributes have been placed for Sarah Everard. Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Human remains were discovered a week later next to a defunct leisure and golf complex around 55 miles away near Ashford in Kent, with dental records confirming the body belonged to Miss Everard.

Couzens served with the Met since 2018 and was attached to an armed unit responsible for guarding the London parliamentary estate and embassies.

Couzens, of Deal, Kent, is due to stand trial in October.

Everard’s family sat in the court as Couzens entered his pleas.

Everard had been visiting friends in the Clapham area and was returning to her home in nearby Brixton when she disappeared.

Everard’s disappearance led to vigils and protests and prompted the government to promise enhanced police patrols at night, as well as funding to make the streets safer for women.

- with The Sun