Priti Patel responds to the conviction of Wayne Couzens
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Sarah Everard “could have been saved” had a flashing incident involving murderer and rapist Wayne Couzens in 2020 been taken more seriously at the time, the victim has said.
In a statement released today, the victim added: “The indecent exposure incident was reported on the Sunday. I had no one contact me or ask for a statement.
“It was only after Sarah’s murder that I became involved. If he had been accountable when we had reported the crime, we could have saved Sarah.”
Former Metropolitan Police officer Couzens has been jailed for a further 19 months and two concurrent six months after admitting to the indecent exposure.
The convicted murderer is currently serving a life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of Ms Everard.
Couzens appeared via video link at the Old Bailey after admitting three counts of exposing himself, one of which was committed just days before he killed Ms Everard.
The incidents took place in woodland and at a fast food restaurant in Kent between November 2020 and February 2021.
On November 13 2020, he stepped out of a woodland in Deal, Kent, naked and masturbated as a woman cycled past.
A few months later, on different occasions on February 14 and 27 2021, Couzens exposed his genitals to staff at a drive-thru fast food restaurant in Kent.
He sat in his car and looked straight at them as he showed his erect penis while handing his card to pay for food.
Couzens also denied a further three counts which are expected to be left on file.
In March 2021, Couzens stopped marketing executive Ms Everard as she was walking home from a friend’s house in Clapham, south London.
He used his Met Police warrant card to abduct Ms Everard, pretending she had broken Covid lockdown rules.
Her body was found in woodland in Kent.
The culture within the Met has come under intense criticism following the crimes of Couzens and also former officer David Carrick, who was jailed for life after raping 12 women over a 17-year period.
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