Sarah Everard: London police officer pleads guilty to murdering marketing manager

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Wayne Cousins, a working policeman “whose primary role was uniformed patrolling of diplomatic premises,” pleaded guilty to the June kidnapping and rape of Everard.

The Crown Prosecution Office said in a statement that he has now pleaded guilty to the murder charge at Old Bailey Court and will be sentenced at a later time.

Everard, 33, disappeared on March 3 after leaving his friend’s home in Clapham, south London, early in the evening. Her body was found March 10 inside a builder’s bag in the woods near Ashford, Kent, more than 50 miles from where she was last seen.

The Cousins ​​had been arrested the day before at his nearby home in Kent, on suspicion of kidnapping. He was later arrested on suspicion of murder.

Five members of the Everard family were in a London courtroom where the Cousins ​​appeared via video link from Belmarsh Maximum Security Prison to file his petition, the Palestinian News Agency reported.

The Palestinian Authority stated that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick was also present.

“Alcozyn lied to the police when he was arrested and, so far, has declined to comment. We still don’t know what prompted him to commit this horrific crime against a stranger,” said Carolyn Oakley, a public prosecutor who specializes in public prosecution.

“Today is not the day to hear the facts about what happened to Sarah. Today is a day to remember Sarah and our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Oakley described Cousins’ guilty plea as the result of “great hard work” by the prosecution team. She added that the police “deserve commendation for their thorough and diligent investigation into Sarah’s disappearance.”

Police were criticized in March for their harsh response to a vigil held to remember Everard and highlight the issue of women’s safety.

Her disappearance has prompted thousands of women to share their own experiences of intimidation or harassment while walking alone at night in British cities and around the world.

Many also shared notes about the usual precautions they take to try to stay safe when walking alone – and expressed anger and frustration that this seemed necessary.

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