Yahoo News Met Policeman Wayne Couzens has pleaded guilty to the murder of Sarah Everard
Trigger warning: This article references sexual assault
Metropolitan police officer Wayne Couzens has admitted to murdering 33-year-old Sarah Everard, the BBC reports.
Couzens appeared at the Old Bailey today via video link from Belmarsh High security prison to enter his plea at a hearing attended by Sarah's family and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. He has previously admitted to kidnapping and raping Sarah.
The BBC reports that Couzens hired a car and bought a roll of self-adhesive film days before the murder.
A camera attached to a passing marked police car captured Sarah walking home at 9.30pm, and minutes later, a bus camera appeared to capture the moment she was intercepted by Couzens.
Two figures could be seen standing by the hire car, which was parked on the pavement with its hazard lights flashing.
ITV journalist Rebecca Barry, who was in court, wrote on Twitter: "Prosecution clarified that Wayne Couzens had not previously met Sarah Everard - he did not know her, they were complete strangers when he kidnapped, raped and murdered her.
"Prosecution say scientific evaluation of Wayne Couzens' vehicle is underway to determine where Sarah Everard was raped and murdered - as this will affect sentencing. Despite pleading guilty, he has never revealed the truth."
48-year-old Wayne Couzens, from Deal in Kent, worked as a uniformed patrol officer of a diplomatic premise as part of the Metropolitan Police. In March, following the discovery of Sarah Everard's body, he was charged with murder and kidnap.
Sarah was reported missing on 4 March by her boyfriend, who was unable to contact her after she walked home from a friend's house. Following a week of extensive searches, Sarah Everard's body was found in an area of woodland in Ashford, Kent. A post-mortem examination recently revealed she died as a result of compression of the neck. The first post-mortem had proven inconclusive.
Following Sarah's death, a vigil was held on Clapham Common. Mourners including Kate Middleton visited the site with flowers and candles to pay their respects to Sarah Everard and to stand in solidarity for women’s safety.
Wayne Couzens is due to be sentenced on 29 September.
Our thoughts remain with Sarah Everard's family during this exceptionally difficult time.
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