Sarah Everard’s body ‘found in builder’s bag in woods’ as cop Wayne Couzens appears in court on murder and kidnap
TRAGIC Sarah Everard had to be identified by dental records after her body was found in a builder’s bag, a court heard today.
PC Wayne Couzens, 48, is accused of kidnapping and murdering the 33-year-old after she vanished in Clapham, South West London, on March 3.
The gun cop, who joined the Met Police in 2018, appeared in the dock in person at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning.
Flanked by two police officers, Couzens sat with his head in his hands while wearing a grey jumper.
The court was told Sarah’s body was discovered in a builder’s bag and had to be identified through her dental records.
Couzens, who spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on March 16.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said: “Mr Couzens, I am sending your case to the crown court sitting at the Central Criminal Court, what you might know as the Old Bailey.
“You will appear there for your first appearance on the 16th of March.
“I don’t have the power to consider the question of bail. That will be considered should you wish to make an application to the court on the 16th of March.
“You are therefore remanded in custody until that date, both charges having been sent to the crown court.”
Couzens was charged last night with Sarah’s kidnap and murder after she vanished while walking home last Wednesday.
In an unusual departure from normal protocol, the Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges instead of police.
The confirmation came moments before it emerged Couzens was taken to hospital again for a second time with head injuries.
He went back to St George’s Hospital, where he was taken for the first time for treatment, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Police also revealed Couzens joined the Met in September 2018 where he worked on a response team in Bromley, South East London.
He then moved to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command on 1 February 2020 where he patrolled embassies in the capital.
TRAGIC DEATH
Sarah vanished on March 3 after leaving a friend’s home to walk the 50-minute journey back to her flat in Brixton.
She was captured on CCTV at 9.30pm in Clapham after spending 15 minutes on the phone with her boyfriend.
A huge search was launched after she disappeared with police searching ponds in the area.
On Wednesday night, police said human remains were discovered in woodland in Ashford, Kent, that have since been confirmed as Sarah’s.
Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said his thoughts and prayers were with the family and friends of Sarah after her body was found.
The family of Sarah Everard later paid tribute to their “bright and beautiful daughter and sister”.
In a statement, Sarah’s family said: “Sarah was bright and beautiful – a wonderful daughter and sister.
Most read in News
“She was kind and thoughtful, caring and dependable. She always put others first and had the most amazing sense of humour.
“She was strong and principled and a shining example to us all.
“We are very proud of her and she brought so much joy to our lives.”