Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner reacts to sentencing of Sarah Everard's killer

The murderer of Durham University Graduate Sarah Everard has been given a whole life sentence

Author: Ellie KumarPublished 30th Sep 2021
Last updated 30th Sep 2021

Northumbria Police's PCC, Kim McGuinness, has today reacted to the news that Wayne Couzens - who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard while working as a serving police officer - has been given a rare whole life jail term.

The 48-year-old used the excuse of a fake arrest of Sarah in south London in March as she walked home.

Kim McGuinness has released the following statement:

“Sarah was a daughter, a sister, a friend and Sarah was killed in the most horrific circumstances, the worst kind of male violence.

“Society is consistently failing women and girls. This case shows how horrendous the consequences can be and I am just so sorry Sarah and her family have paid the price of these failings.

“The impact statement from Sarah’s mother is one of the most heart-breaking and powerful things I have ever read. No mother should have to experience the loss, suffering and anguish conveyed in her words.

“It is beyond troubling to think his role as a Metropolitan police officer enabled him to commit these grotesque and I understand how concerning this is to women everywhere. His actions are the ultimate insult to the police officers who serve to protect people who I know are sickened to the core by his evil actions.

"Whilst he terrifyingly used his profession to lure Sarah, it was his misogyny that made him a killer."

“The real worry is that there were warning signs though. He slipped through the net. How did this happen? There is no doubt there are some very serious questions that need to be answered. No punishment will bring Sarah back, but a whole life sentence is appropriate and I hope it brings some comfort to the family. We can only hope this is the beginning of real change to protect and make women’s and girls’ lives safer.”

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