Wayne Couzens sentenced for flashing cyclist on duty and McDonald’s staff before murdering Sarah Everard
WAYNE Couzens was today sentenced for flashing a cyclist while on duty and exposing himself to McDonald's staff before he murdered Sarah Everard.
The killer cop, 50, pleaded guilty to three indecent exposure offences last month.
This morning he appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Frankland Prison for sentencing by Mrs Justice May.
Wearing a grey prison tracksuit, with a full white beard and a shaved head, he was given 19 months in prison for the three offences.
The former Met Police officer is already serving a life sentence after he abducted, raped and murdered Sarah, 33.
She was walking home through Clapham Common in South West London, on March 3, 2021, when Couzens snatched her.
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Shockingly, one incident unfolded just three days before the predator launched his attack on Sarah.
Couzens twice exposed himself at a McDonald's in Swanley, Kent.
He sat in his black Seat and pulled his trousers down whilst paying for his food.
Staff were left "shaken, upset and angry" and named Couzens "the penis guy" over his sick antics.
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Police were told the disgusting incidents took place on February 14, 2021, and February 27.
They were given his car number plate and description but did not even speak to him about any of the flashing incidents.
Chillingly, the same car was then used to abduct Sarah.
On November 13, 2020, while on duty, he stepped out of a wooded area naked in Deal, Kent.
He then performed a sex act on himself as a female cycled past.
She gave a partial vehicle registration and a description but the case was not pursued.
The victim came forward again after seeing the horrific news about Sarah's murder and positively identified Couzens as the flasher.
Two officers will now face misconduct proceedings for their handling of the allegations, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has said.
A Met Police constable will face allegations they breached professional behaviour standard and for alleged failings over the way inquiries were handled over the two incidents in February 2021.
A Kent police sergeant is also said to have failed to follow all reasonable line of enquiry regarding an incident from 2015 - which Couzens has denied.
It can now be revealed Couzens was in a Whatsapp group chat with other cops.
Two included were PC Jonathon Cobban and PC Joel Borders, who were jailed for three months, because of the messages, in November.
Four other officers, PC Gary Bailey, PC Matthew Forster, William Neville and PC Daniel Comfort lost their jobs over the incident.
Messages exchanged included comments about sexual assault, violence, gender and disability.
'SELFISH, SEXUALLY AGGRESIVE ACTS'
Sentencing Couzens today, Mrs Justice May paid tribute to his victims.
The senior judge said the prison term also served as recognition for the victims' "courage and resilience" in coming forward.
She highlighted their statements which recalled the impact of Couzens' "selfish, sexually aggressive acts".
The judge said: "The fact that no police came to find him or his black car to question him about these incidents can only have served to confirm and strengthen in the defendant's mind a dangerous belief in his invincibility, in his power sexually to dominate and abuse women without being stopped."
Following the sentencing, Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: "Couzens repeatedly targeted women to expose himself to on multiple occasions.
"These offences were abhorrent and caused great distress and discomfort for the victims.
"It is right that he has been prosecuted for these offences and that he will continue to spend the rest of his life in prison."
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who's team investigated the murder of Sarah, praised the victims for coming forward.
She said: "I would like to recognise their patience and co-operation throughout the case, and thank them for standing up to him.
"Without them, justice could not have been served."
'I AM SORRY' COUZENS WASN'T ARRESTED SOONER
Couzens previously denied three other indecent exposure charges relating to an alleged incident in June 2015, one between January 22 and February 1 2021, and one between January 30 and February 6 2021.
Those charges are expected to be left on court file.
DAC Stuart Cundy, who leads the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, said he was sorry Couzens wasn't arrested before he went on to take Sarah's life.
He said: "Today's sentencing reflects the impact these awful crimes committed by Couzens has had on the women he targeted.
"I have read the victim impact statements and it is clear to me the hurt and trauma that he inflicted on them.
"It is their courage that has been crucial in bringing him to justice and I am sorry for what they have gone through.
"Like so many, I wish he had been arrested for these offences before he went on to kidnap, rape and murder Sarah Everard, and I am sorry that he wasn't.
"The Met's response to these crimes has been independently investigated.
"One officer is due to face a misconduct hearing and the events surrounding the death of Sarah Everard will be examined by the Coroner.
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"The fact he did this whilst serving as a police officer has brought shame on all us who swore to protect the communities we serve."
An independent inquiry led by Dame Elish Angiolini will consider his earlier sexual offending and whether opportunities were missed to stop him before Sarah tragically lost her life.
