*This article contains references to sexual assault, rape, and kidnap.
“The world is a safer place.”
Sarah Everard’s family have issued a statement following the sentencing of Wayne Couzens.
The family of the 33-year-old marketing executive, who was killed by Couzens while walking home in London earlier this year, have said that they are “pleased” by the whole life order the former police officer received.
“Nothing can make things better, nothing can bring Sarah back, but knowing he will be imprisoned forever brings some relief,” they said today, as reported by Sky News.
“The world is a safer place with him imprisoned. It is almost seven months since Sarah died and the pain of losing her is overwhelming. We miss her all the time.
“She was a beautiful young woman in looks and character and our lives are the poorer without her.
“We remember all the lovely things about Sarah – her compassion and kindness, her intelligence, her strong social conscience. But we especially like to remember her laughing and dancing and enjoying life. We hold her safe in our hearts.”
They added that Sarah lost her life “needlessly and cruelly” and they are “outraged and sickened” by the actions of Couzens.
Couzens was sentenced to a full life order today, which means that he will never be eligible for parole.
The court heard yesterday that Couzens had “arrested” Everard while she was walking, handcuffing her after producing his warrant card. He used a hired vehicle to commit the abduction and threw Everard’s phone into a Kent river after killing her.
Everard’s death sparked nationwide protests across the UK concerning the safety of women on the streets. A vigil for Sarah in Clapham Commons gained international interest after Met Police used force on a number of attendees.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating whether the Met Police failed to properly investigate two cases of indecent exposure against Couzens days before Everard’s death.
