Wayne Couzens pleads guilty to rape and kidnap of Sarah Everard, but not her murder

[Cwenthryth]

Sarah Everard: Wayne Couzens admits rape and kidnap www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57399170

He “accepts responsibility” for her death but didn’t enter a plea for the murder charge.

Surely he realises the gig’s up now, and he will do life regardless?

Probably, but he’s a rapist- his kick comes from wielding what little power he has- getting his charge changed from murder to manslaughter is him wielding the only power he has right now.

Wow!!!!

Surely the fact that the medical report that's awaited is a psychiatric report means he's going to play the "diminished responsibility due to mental health issues/psychiatric event" card?

Wouldn’t diminished responsibility put him in a prison with a mental health unit like Rampton?

I knew he would have raped her before killing her, but I find myself particularly gutted that it's been confirmed. Her poor family, it's so unbearably awful.

What happens in cases like this? Presumably he discharged from the force. What happens to their pension?

**"He pleaded guilty to kidnapping Ms Everard "unlawfully and by force or fraud" on 3 March.

He also pleaded guilty to a second charge of rape between 2 and 10 March."

Does this suggest the fucker kept Sarah alive between March 3rd and 10th or am I reading it wrong? - from the BBC link.

What happens to their pension?

It depends. The pension can be forfeited:
where a pension scheme member has been convicted of an offence committed in connection with his or her service as a member of a police force, which is certified by the Home Secretary either to have been gravely injurious to the interests of the State, or to be liable to lead to a serious loss of confidence in the public service.

From here: [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/960978/Pension_Forfeiture_guidance.pdf]

This is very sad and dismaying news. My sympathies to the family.

wuthering out doesn’t mean that. It means the prosecution cannot say on which date she was raped. So it will be ‘on a day between two dates’ earliest and latest it could have been on the evidence. It means the lack of a precise date for the allegation does not scupper charge/count.

He also pleaded guilty to a second charge of rape between 2 and 10 March.

Does this suggest the fucker kept Sarah alive between March 3rd and 10th or am I reading it wrong? - from the BBC link.

From the guardian Couzens is also accused of Everard’s murder between 2 and 10 March.

Well it sounds like they don’t know the exact date of the rape or the death. The fact he has plead guilty to rape means he should know when he did that and surely would have told them? Or is he withholding that information? Anyway- sounds like very possibly yes- she was alive for a time after she was kidnapped.

I wonder why it says between 2 and 10 March when she went missing on the 3rd and he was arrested on the 9th.

@HeronLanyon

wuthering out doesn’t mean that. It means the prosecution cannot say on which date she was raped. So it will be ‘on a day between two dates’ earliest and latest it could have been on the evidence. It means the lack of a precise date for the allegation does not scupper charge/count.

Heron does that mean he isn’t saying when he raped her? He has plead guilty so he has admitted he raped her- why not tell when he did it? More power wielding?

@HeronLanyon

wuthering out doesn’t mean that. It means the prosecution cannot say on which date she was raped. So it will be ‘on a day between two dates’ earliest and latest it could have been on the evidence. It means the lack of a precise date for the allegation does not scupper charge/count.

So I assume he isn't talking or at least not being fully co-operative if he won't say what date stuff happened?

Yes he may well have given a full no comment interview etc. The basis upon which he has pleaded will be disclosed through plea in mitigation and sentencing reports. The crown will have to agree the basis of any manslaughter plea before they accept it (their fall back would be to pursue murder if they have sufficient evidence of intent - not second guessing here)

I guess not talking might tie in with hoping to get a medical report which says he's mad...? He might be saying he has no recollection of any of it?

I wasn't sure if it was because of not the exact date or if it is a suggestion that Sarah was being held captive.

I think all that can be gleaned about the date issue is that forensics will have arrived at a time/date of death with margins for error. TheCrown may have other evidence informing that 10th date also but just don’t know. Nor will we for some time.

Exactly what I was thinking, @CovidCorvid. He could deny knowing anything or even blame someone else for her death. Anything to get him a lesser sentence.

They have not charged him with false imprisonment. He has confessed the bare minimum.

Presumably there will be some 'but she tried to escape' defence / minimisation.

I'm surprised we don't see more defence lawyers in politics.

@PearPickingPorky

Surely the fact that the medical report that's awaited is a psychiatric report means he's going to play the "diminished responsibility due to mental health issues/psychiatric event" card?

Why are his legal team happy for him to plead on the other charges if there are psychiatric reports pending?

@CovidCorvid

I guess not talking might tie in with hoping to get a medical report which says he's mad...? He might be saying he has no recollection of any of it?

He has already entered guilty pleas to rape and kidnap.

Wayne Couzen's barrister shares chambers with John Broadhurst's barrister.

What a surprise

@Cwenthryth

Is this the natural evolution of the “sex game gone wrong” defence (and it’s cousin “domestic violence gone wrong”) - “kidnap and rape gone wrong”?

😐

That is exactly what I was thinking. Just horrific. I can't put it into words tbh.

This is so terribly sad, to actually see this confirmed that he raped her too. Can’t even begin to imagine what she must have gone through. Horrendous.. god bless her soul and strength to her family and friends.

How are we supposed to trust male police officers if someone like this makes it through their extensive checks?

People change over time, some for the very worst. Maybe more regular testing?

Assume he's hoping the psychiatric reports will enable him to reduce the charge to manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility

Agree, he knows he going away for years but he might be hoping he gets let out in a few decades.