Former Met Officer from Hertfordshire facing jail for dozens of sexual offences

David Carrick's two-day sentencing starts on Monday

Author: Henry WilliamsPublished 6th Feb 2023
Last updated 6th Feb 2023

A former Metropolitan Police officer from Hertfordshire who was unmasked as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders is set to be jailed for attacking a dozen women over an 18-year period.

The "truly sickening" crimes of David Carrick forced the Met to apologise after the then-serving officer admitted 24 counts of rape, as well as charges of sexual assault, controlling and coercive behaviour and false imprisonment.

The 48-year-old is due to be sentenced over the course of two days at Southwark Crown Court.

The case prompted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to promise police reforms after it emerged the force was informed of nine incidents - including allegations of rape, domestic violence and harassment - between 2000 and 2021.

Carrick, who joined the force in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009, faced no criminal sanctions or misconduct findings.

Police chiefs across England and Wales have since been asked to have all officers checked against national police databases by the end of March.

Carrick, who served in the Army before joining the Met, admitted 49 criminal charges, but some of the attacks are multiple incident counts, meaning they relate to more than 80 sexual offences, including at least 48 rapes against 12 women.

He will also be sentenced for nine counts of sexual assault, five counts of assault by penetration, three counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, and three counts of false imprisonment.

Carrick's offences also include two counts of attempted rape, one count of attempted sexual assault by penetration, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of indecent assault.

He denied a further count of rape in September 2020 relating to a 13th woman, whose allegation triggered the investigation, and the Crown Prosecution Service decided it was not in the public interest to proceed to trial on the charge.

Carrick's crimes are set to form part of the independent inquiry looking at the murder of Sarah Everard, who was raped and strangled to death by then serving Met officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021.

Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Barbara Gray said: "In the weeks since he pleaded guilty, we have spoken about our genuine and urgent commitment to address the systemic failings that have been identified by our own reviews, by those of His Majesty's Inspectorate and Baroness Casey.

"We are determined to root out those who corrupt our integrity. That work is already under way."

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