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Original poster

Anyone follow the coverage of the Sarah Everard case today and want to vent?

999 replies

HangingOver · 29/09/2021 14:05

I'm home alone today and except for whatsapping my friends have nothing to do with this incandescent rage and hopeless sadness.

Anyone else need to talk? Sad

OP posts:
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7
Rosehip10 · 30/09/2021 10:37

How is it not pre-mediated when he ordered tape and restraints etc in the days before, hired the car etc?

Tellmesomethinggirl · 30/09/2021 10:38

There is so much that sickens me about this but I am outraged that the police let an incident of self exposure go in 2015 and two more in 2021. Three incidents and nothing happened to him, a serving officer, in a position of trust and responsibilty? And he was in touch with his sergeant about stress. It probably wasn't deemed worth their time "because they are only crimes against women after all". But crimes in this instance that were massive red flags and led to something even worse. Why weren't they investigated properly?

According to a friend of mine in the police, they are so stretched, they can't afford to lose a trained officer. So that probably had some influence on why they let his more minor (but as it turns out very significant) previous incidents go.

And buried in all the newspaper and TV news reports but, as usual, nothing is done about it, is that he was addicted to violent porn. Again, the consequences to women of men being exposed to this vile stuff is ignored and it goes unregulated. Men's freddoms are more important than women's safety.

RIP Sarah. You deserved to live your life. I can't imagine what your family and friends are going through. Sincere condolences to them. Flowers

Gwrach · 30/09/2021 10:38

@Badgercity

I can’t believe that this wasn’t a premeditated murder. If he intended to rape her and release her he wouldn’t have driven so far. He made no attempts to conceal his identity from her, which he would have done if he knew she would be alive to identity him.

Does anyone know if the burden of proof is the same for sentencing as it is for a jury verdict?

There's no need for burden, just sentencing guidelines. Which are available on the CPS website. Rape can carry a life sentence as maximum for example, but then it's up to the judge where the crime falls withing the guidelines. Every agrivating factor ups you to the max.

Murder can carry a full life tariff, rarely given out in the UK. But I think we could see one here. The appetite from the public for a full life tariff is big.

The pre mediation, abuse of trust, disposal of the body. Kidnap is a aggravated charge which he's pleaded guilty to.

HonorHiding · 30/09/2021 10:39

@Badgercity

I can’t believe that this wasn’t a premeditated murder. If he intended to rape her and release her he wouldn’t have driven so far. He made no attempts to conceal his identity from her, which he would have done if he knew she would be alive to identity him.

Does anyone know if the burden of proof is the same for sentencing as it is for a jury verdict?

Burden of proof isn’t relevant to sentencing. Facts are not being proved - these are submissions for the judge to accept or reject.
Viviennemary · 30/09/2021 10:39

A person killing an on duty police officer can be given a whole life term. But not a serving police officer raping, kidnapping and killing a woman. That was offered by the defence. Its wrong. I think its a worse crime. I can't see less than 30 years. But hope it will be full life. But on that Telegraph feed this horrific crime doesn't come under the whole life tarriff. That needs to be changed.

Badgercity · 30/09/2021 10:40

Thanks *@Gwrach

NoLongerADoormat · 30/09/2021 10:40

Jim Sturman QC said of Couzens, that "he appears to have been living a law-abiding life with a loving family".

He was described as colleagues in the police who knew him well as "calm and friendly"

No he wasn't. He was described as the fucking rapist.

Rosehip10 · 30/09/2021 10:44

"Jim Sturman QC said Couzens' family remain "staggered that the man they loved" committed the "evil and wicked" crimes that he did"

Yeah so there was no concern about his use of violent porn (which he was open about with work colleagues at least?) etc etc

WomanWithAltitude · 30/09/2021 10:44

If he intended to rape her and release her he wouldn’t have driven so far. He made no attempts to conceal his identity from her, which he would have done if he knew she would be alive to identity him.

Rapists don't normally conceal their identity. The chance of being convicted is miniscule and they know it.

My rapist drove a long way (South London to near Brighton), but released me. Also didn't conceal his face.

I'm not minimising what he did, or saying it wasn't pre-meditated (because it obviously was), but the fact that he drove a long way doesn't in itself prove he planned murder.

Worldgonecrazy · 30/09/2021 10:45

I read the statement. It was horrific.

Even more horrifying is that by emphasising the fear and terror that Sarah must have felt, the father has unintentionally provided wank-fodder to Couzens and the thousands of men out there who are like him.

I don’t think decent men can understand the monstrousness, evil, and depravity that thousands of men carry within them, and perhaps it is too terrible to face into, so we pretend it isn’t there.

Male prisons stink of testosterone and fear (I have worked in several). No doubt some macho dick will cause trouble for Couzens to gain fame and kudos because of him being ex police, but Couzens probably won’t even be the most evil or monstrous man within that prison.

So Couzens will get to wank himself stupid every night, remembering what he has done, playing it over in his mind, probably re-reading the family statement.

It’s almost too much to bear that men like this walk out streets and are in our homes. Men who get a sexual thrill from abusing, terrifying and hurting women. I have no idea how to stop it or how to fix it, though I think porn viewing history may be a start.

I know NAMALT but I often wonder, out of the men that I have met and known through my life, how many of them are carrying this evil within them? How many throughout the world are waiting for opportunities such as war or unrest to let out their inner monsters?

didihearthatright123456 · 30/09/2021 10:46

I have done little but think about this since yesterday when the details came out. That poor poor woman, I cannot begin to imagine the terror when she realised that this was not going to turn out well.

I'm also so so angry that this continues to happen. I have twin girls and it terrifies me that things won't have changed by the time they will be out doing innocent things like walking back from a friends house.

I've already had a discussion with my husband that if I get pulled over for something like a minor driving offence, if the police is a lone male officer I will not get into the back of his car. They will have to bring back up or pull me kicking & screaming.

How is this still happening???

LoislovesStewie · 30/09/2021 10:49

There is NO mitigation at all for what he did. NONE. If he doesn't get a whole life tariff then there should be an immediate appeal.

Queenie6655 · 30/09/2021 10:51

@NoLongerADoormat

There are 4 cases being heard today at the old Bailey. 2 of them are fucking men murdering women. The other is a man and woman murdering a toddler. WHEN will this stop. WHY are the most vulnerable in society failed. Why the fuck are beasts like Wayne couzens allowed to roam the earth unmonitored. Why has it taken the most heinous disgusting evil crime to expose him for the filthy pervert he is. I'm sick of this. They knew what he was like, they fucking seen him coming.
Oh my god !!!!!

With My court case last week re ex who tried to kill me - all the other cases on one day were violence against women

I can't get my head around this

Gwrach · 30/09/2021 10:51

CPS guidelines say for this murder minumum starting point is 30 years because of the "sexual and sadistic conduct"

Then you've got the rape charge
The kidnapping charge.

These can all be served consecutively.

So if the judge doesn't impose a life tariff they can bring up some big numbers for this one.

endofagain · 30/09/2021 10:52

I wonder if all his mates who nicknamed him "the rapist"are having a moment of introspection. The superiors who decided not to take his previous offences seriously. I wonder if they have learned anything.
Sadly, I doubt it.

Imatwinmum · 30/09/2021 10:52

I know I’m very late to this but I have just read her mother’s statement. I’m heartbroken and devastated for her.

All trust in authority is gone for me. I don’t think any women should be told to get in a police car without a female officer present after this. Or all male officers should be accompanied by a female one as standard. Same with paramedics and so on.

Tellmesomethinggirl · 30/09/2021 10:53

@Rosehip10

How is it not pre-mediated when he ordered tape and restraints etc in the days before, hired the car etc?
It makes you wonder why he bought a piece of woodland when he had financial difficulties.
Queenie6655 · 30/09/2021 10:55

The man who murdered beautiful talented sabina is he up in court today? Did I read that correctly ???🤬🤬🤬🤬

pelosi · 30/09/2021 10:56

@PineappleWilson

I'd be interested to hear from his wife on this, as I don't buy that he was a perfect family man whilst having the nickname amongst colleagues that he did, and acting in the way he did in public. I suspect there may be factors / triggers there that should have flagged when he applied to the MET. Had she ever called the police because of his behaviour etc? I doubt it, but this can't have come out of the blue for her.
But men can successfully compartmentalise their depravity from their family life. For example, Ted Bundy didn't hurt his partner. He did some weird stuff (examining her body by torchlight whilst she slept) but he didn't hurt her.
Badgercity · 30/09/2021 10:57

30 years would make him 78, and with the years of pumping steroids I doubt his heart would see out the minimum sentence.

BUT the judge needs to impose a whole life tariff to show that he sees WC and other men like him. To show that the justice system will use the full force of the law to protect women and girls. To show the Met that they failed on a massive scale.

Pumperthepumper · 30/09/2021 10:57

And also; his actual police colleagues in the actual metropolitan police knew what he was like! What difference would his wife knowing have made?

Lollipop444 · 30/09/2021 10:58

@Viviennemary

A person killing an on duty police officer can be given a whole life term. But not a serving police officer raping, kidnapping and killing a woman. That was offered by the defence. Its wrong. I think its a worse crime. I can't see less than 30 years. But hope it will be full life. But on that Telegraph feed this horrific crime doesn't come under the whole life tarriff. That needs to be changed.
Absolutely agree if true it needs to be changed.

What does come under whole life tariff?

LikeACatInTheDark · 30/09/2021 10:58

www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk

If anyone reading this is angry and wants to donate to a charity fighting like hell to push back the tide of hatred and violence towards women, this is for you. I can't say enough about how much I admire their work, and when they are operating on this tiny a shoestring a small monthly donation can really add up.

Thanks @sleeponeday - they're a great organisation. Small monthly donation set up now thanks to your post.

LoislovesStewie · 30/09/2021 11:00

The tariff will be given at 11.30 a.m, apparently.

MakingM · 30/09/2021 11:00

I’ve tried to avoid this as much as possible tbh. It’s just too much, but I read this morning that a couple saw the “arrest” and just continued on their way because they thought it was an official doing his job.

I have no words.

Would any of us have intervened? I’m hope those people get help. I think I’d be physically sick if I found out that had been me…and what happened to her.

None of the punishments a civilised country has are enough to deliver justice for what he has destroyed.

It’s just horrific. The whole thing.