Latest news with #Couzens
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Wayne Couzens' marital home - with hot-tub he built in the garden- hits the market: Three-bed house where killer cop lived with wife and kids is on sale for £280K
Wayne Couzens ' marital home has gone on the market for £280,000 - complete with a hot tub he built in the back garden, the Daily Mail can reveal. The shamed Met police officer, 52, who is serving a whole life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard in 2021, lived there with wife Olena for five years. The couple paid £200,000 for the three-bedroom terrace house in 2016, taking out a mortgage with Nat West Bank, records show. Couzens was arrested at the house in Deal, Kent, by police investigating the brutal killing of Sarah, 33, in a crime that shocked the nation – and left his wife and two children stunned. The disgraced former police officer had handcuffed and 'arrested' Sarah in fake Covid patrol in March 2021, as she walked home through Clapham Common after visiting a friend for dinner. He bundled her into a car, then raped and murdered her, eventually driving to remote woods near Ashford, where he burnt her body and dumped her remains in a pond, with police making the grim discovery six days later. The property is described by estate agents as an 'ideal terraced family house, spacious throughout with three double bedrooms and ample living space'. It goes on: 'The rear garden is a great size and overlooks fields behind. To the front there is a blocked paved driveway and garage. 'The property has been well cared for and has a modern kitchen bathroom and log burner.' The description makes no mention of the hot tub that Couzens built, but in pictures illustrating the house, the timber surround can clearly be seen in the back garden. Other images show a neat and tidy interior with books on shelves and a board game under the table, as well as magnets on the fridge door and a large telescope in the kitchen. The house was put up for sale earlier this year for £300,000 but the price was later reduced by £20,000 after failing to attract interest, despite being close to local amenities, schools and the train station. Ukrainian born Olena was often seen by neighbours walking the family's two pet French bulldogs Napoleon and Josephine and was described as 'warm and friendly' by locals, who added she 'kept a low profile'. Following Couzens arrest in 2021, Olena told the Daily Mail she had kept asking herself 'Why?' adding that it was 'not human behaviour'. She went on: 'If I had any idea what was going on in Wayne's head, then none of this would've happened but I didn't know anything. The kitchen shows magnets on the fridge door and a large telescope in the corner as well as family dining table Couzens' wife Olena (pictured) previously confessed she couldn't understand why her husband carried out the brutal attack 'He didn't appear to be acting strangely. I didn't notice anything was wrong. I'm working full time, most of the time I'm dropping the children off at school and picking them up, I have a really busy lifestyle. 'I can't comprehend it because he never once previously showed any glimpse of violence, he was never that way. I'm just as puzzled as everyone else. 'I saw nothing wrong. He had a beautiful family, a good house… what else did he need? I'm constantly asking myself "where I did miss the signs? How on earth could this have happened?' Couzens was jailed at the Old Baily in September 2021 and trial judge Lord Justice Fulford told him: 'Your wife and children, who on all the evidence, are entirely blameless, will have to live with the ignominy of your dreadful crimes for the rest of their lives.' Couzens drove to remote woods near Ashford (pictured), where he burnt her body and dumped her remains in a pond, with police making the grim discovery six days later Shortly after his arrest Olena visited him in prison where he was on remand and he cried and apologised to her and it is thought to be the last time she saw him, although it is not known if they have divorced. Couzens is serving his sentence at HMP Frankland and last month it emerged he had been taken to hospital for a back operation that cost tax payers £17,000.
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Rapist cop Wayne Couzens 'had secret NHS back op possibly costing £17,000'
Cowardly rapist and murderer Wayne Couzens, who killed Sarah Everard in 2021, was reportedly whisked off for a pricey back operation on the taxpayer's dime Grim killer cop Wayne Couzens was given an expensive operation on the taxpayers' dime, according to reports. The brutal murderer, 52, is said to have been taken away from the notorious HMP Frankland in County Durham to an NHS hospital for a lumbar procedure costing an estimated £17,000. The operation on his back, also known as a 'spinal tap', can cost up tp £7,000 - with the process of getting Couzens, who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard, in and out of the prison possibly costing £10,000, according to The Sun. Couzens reportedly spent a number of days in a hospital before he was taken back to Frankland, around three miles away. A source told The Sun that Couzens' operation was not an emergency and was carried out to make him 'comfortable', adding that people were "angry" at how the cold-blooded killer was treated and the cost. The source said Couzens is 'constantly moaning in jail', and that he complained about back pain. It was the source that estimated that a security operation to get the killer from the jail to hospital would have cost the cited £10,000 sum. When approached by the Mirror, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it does not comment on individual prisoners. The source also said Couzens was taken in a bullet proof 'Category A' van, which requires the supervision of four prison officers and a custody manager. Former prison governor Vanessa Frake said such a security operation would have needed significant planning, with staff considering the risks to healthcare staff as well as other patients and the public. Labour's North Durham MP Luke Akehurst said: 'I would be disgusted if it turns out that this vile rapist and murderer was able to jump the queue in front of decent law-abiding people to get his treatment. The cost of the security surrounding his time in hospital is an appalling waste of public money.' Sarah Everard, 33, was kidnapped and murdered by off-duty police officer Couzens in 2021, who then burned her body. Concerns over Couzens' treatment operation come as Sarah's family and others who suffered a loved one being murdered called on Sir Keir Starmer to create a new criminal offence against desecrating a body. Sarah's family was joined by the family of Michael O'Leary, a 55-year-old father of three who was shot dead by his friend Andrew Jones in 2020, after Jones found out the victim was having an affair with his wife. Jones then burned Mr O'Leary's body on a funeral pyre made of wood pallets, and tried to make it look like he killed himself. Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies raised the issue in Prime Minister's Questions this month, asking Mr Starmer to meet with the families and hear their plea. The MP for Caerfyrddin said: "My constituent Mr Michael O'Leary was brutally murdered five years ago and his body was desecrated. I've made a number of requests to discuss his and other victims' cases with ministers and to explore introducing legislation making the desecration of a body a criminal offence." Responding, Mr Starmer: 'Can I thank her for raising this horrific case and the other similar cases and my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of the whole House, are with Michael's family and all those affected by such vile crimes. I think we all need to listen to what they have to say…I'm sure the justice minister will be in touch at the first opportunity to take this forward
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Killer cop Wayne Couzens secretly whisked to NHS hospital for £17k back op sparking fury over ‘appalling waste of money'
KILLER cop Wayne Couzens was secretly whisked to an NHS hospital for a back op — costing taxpayers an estimated £17,000. The fiend, 52, who kidnapped, raped and murdered 7 Wayne Couzens was secretly whisked to an NHS hospital for a £17,000 back operation Credit: SWNS 7 The killer policeman was escorted from HMP Frankland in a bullet-proof van under a high-security escort Credit: PA 7 The revelation was slammed as a waste of public money amid concerns Couzens was allowed to jump the waiting list Credit: PA He underwent a lumbar procedure — also known as a spinal tap — which usually has an 18-week waiting time on the NHS. The cost of getting him in and out of HMP Frankland in Durham was estimated to be £10,000 alone - while the procedure can cost up to £7,000. The revelation was slammed as a waste of public money last night, amid concerns Couzens was allowed to jump the waiting list. Labour's North Durham MP Luke Akehurst said: 'I would be disgusted if it turns out that this vile rapist and murderer was able to jump the queue in front of decent law-abiding people to get his treatment. READ MORE ON WAYNE COUZENS He should not be given any special treatment in jail. He's in prison as punishment for his terrible crimes - nobody should forget that Robert Jenrick on Couzens 'The cost of the security surrounding his time in hospital is an appalling waste of public money.' Tory shadow Justice Minister 'He should not be given any special treatment in jail. He's in prison as punishment for his terrible crimes — nobody should forget that.' Couzens, who abused police powers to abduct Sarah, 33, in a fake Covid arrest before killing her in 2021, had the procedure this month. Most read in The Sun The nearest unit offering his op is the University Hospital of North Durham. A typical lumbar procedure sees medics sterilise the patient's back before delivering a local anaesthetic. Chilling moment Wayne Couzens moans 'I'm not in a good place' in shocking police interview after murdering Sarah Everard They then drain fluid with a syringe. Couzens is believed to have spent several days in hospital before being driven the three miles back to the Category A prison's healthcare unit. A source told how the operation was not an emergency and was carried out 'to make him comfortable'. They said: 'People are angry at how he was treated — and how much effort the authorities went to, as well as how much it cost. 'Couzens is constantly moaning in jail and had been complaining about back pain so was assessed in healthcare at the prison. 'The security operation to get him to and from the hospital would have easily run to more than £10,000. 'He was taken straight from his cell into a Category A van, which is bullet-proof with a custody manager and at least four prison officers. 'While he was at the hospital, armed police would have been on guard. Couzens was classed as a 'high-risk escort' — not because he poses a danger but because of the danger to him from the public. 7 Vile killer cop Couzens kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in 2021 Credit: PA 'He is recognisable and reviled so they do not take chances. 'He would have been treated on a ward — but in his own room — to keep him away from people. The prison and NHS have a duty of care to him, like they do with everyone. 'But this was apparently not even an emergency procedure and was basically done to relieve pressure on him and make him comfortable.' Ex-prison governor Vanessa Frake, who ran London's notorious Wormwood Scrubs, said: 'Getting prisoners to operations like this is all down to risk. It would have taken a while to plan with the police and the hospital, assessing not only his safety, but the safety of prison staff, healthcare staff, other patients and the public. Couzens should be at the very bottom of the pecking order when it comes to NHS treatment Former Met detective Peter Bleksley 'It's not an unusual thing for prisoners to go out to hospital. This is more unusual because he is who he is, and that makes it much more difficult not only for the prison staff but the hospital staff as well. 'I understand people's concerns about it. But more than that, I think about Sarah Everard's family and how they must be feeling.' Sources said Couzens was 'reluctant' to move from the jail's hospital as he fears being attacked. 7 University Hospital of North Durham, where Couzens was treated Credit: Alamy We told in March 2022 how the former Met firearms officer had been allowed to buy an Xbox 360 as a reward for good behaviour. But he then moaned after being barred from playing violent games like Call of Duty and Gears of War. Couzens — handed a whole-life tariff because of his heinous crimes — is housed with other fiends including double child murderer Ian Huntley and morgue monster He has previously been on suicide watch and is regularly placed on ACCT — Assessment, Care in Custody, and Teamwork — programmes which involve close monitoring of vulnerable lags. Former Met detective Peter Bleksley said: 'Couzens should be at the very bottom of the pecking order when it comes to NHS treatment. 'It sticks in the craw when any killer like him is effectively whisked to the front of the queue. If anybody has had their procedures cancelled or even delayed so he can be treated, it is a scandal and an insult to the memory of Sarah.' The Prison Service would not comment on healthcare issues. 7 The vigil for Sarah Everard in 2021 Credit: Alamy 7 Kate Middleton seen here paying her respects as she turns up alone at the Sarah Everard memorial site on Clapham Common Credit: Enterprise CHANCES TO STOP KILLER By Sarah Ridley KILLER cop Wayne Couzens committed a catalogue of sex offences before murdering Sarah Everard in one of the most shocking crimes of the century. He should have been arrested as far back as 2015 — six years before killing Sarah in March 2021 — but Kent Police failed to investigate an indecent exposure incident, a watchdog ruled. It meant Couzens was able to join the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and then the Met in 2018. The rapist was then linked to two indecent exposures in November 2020 and February 2021, which police allegedly failed to investigate. He pleaded guilty to these charges in 2023. On the first occasion, he appeared naked in a rural lane in Deal, Kent, and exposed his genitals while on duty as a woman cycled past. The victim reported the incident to Kent Police. Couzens also exposed himself to staff at a McDonald's in Swanley, Kent, on February 14 and 27, 2021. He paid by card and was driving his own car, but it was not properly investigated. Just four days later, Couzens abducted Sarah before raping and strangling her. He was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in September 2021. In February last year, the Angiolini Inquiry ruled there were multiple missed chances to stop Couzens due to his history of offending.
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Killer cop Wayne Couzens secretly whisked to NHS hospital for £17k back op sparking fury over ‘appalling waste of money'
Sources said Couzens was 'reluctant' to move from the jail's hospital as he fears being attacked BEAST'S VIP TREATMENT Killer cop Wayne Couzens secretly whisked to NHS hospital for £17k back op sparking fury over 'appalling waste of money' KILLER cop Wayne Couzens was secretly whisked to an NHS hospital for a back op — costing taxpayers an estimated £17,000. The fiend, 52, who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard, required intensive security during his several days away from HMP Frankland, Durham. Advertisement 7 Wayne Couzens was secretly whisked to an NHS hospital for a £17,000 back operation Credit: SWNS 7 The killer policeman was escorted from HMP Frankland in a bullet-proof van under a high-security escort Credit: PA 7 The revelation was slammed as a waste of public money amid concerns Couzens was allowed to jump the waiting list Credit: PA He underwent a lumbar procedure — also known as a spinal tap — which usually has an 18-week waiting time on the NHS. The cost of getting him in and out of HMP Frankland in Durham was estimated to be £10,000 alone - while the procedure can cost up to £7,000. The revelation was slammed as a waste of public money last night, amid concerns Couzens was allowed to jump the waiting list. Labour's North Durham MP Luke Akehurst said: 'I would be disgusted if it turns out that this vile rapist and murderer was able to jump the queue in front of decent law-abiding people to get his treatment. Advertisement He should not be given any special treatment in jail. He's in prison as punishment for his terrible crimes - nobody should forget that Robert Jenrick on Couzens 'The cost of the security surrounding his time in hospital is an appalling waste of public money.' Tory shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick added: 'Wayne Couzens is one of the most despicable criminals in our jails and a traitor to the police uniform he wore. 'He should not be given any special treatment in jail. He's in prison as punishment for his terrible crimes — nobody should forget that.' Couzens, who abused police powers to abduct Sarah, 33, in a fake Covid arrest before killing her in 2021, had the procedure this month. Advertisement The nearest unit offering his op is the University Hospital of North Durham. A typical lumbar procedure sees medics sterilise the patient's back before delivering a local anaesthetic. Chilling moment Wayne Couzens moans 'I'm not in a good place' in shocking police interview after murdering Sarah Everard They then drain fluid with a syringe. Couzens is believed to have spent several days in hospital before being driven the three miles back to the Category A prison's healthcare unit. Advertisement A source told how the operation was not an emergency and was carried out 'to make him comfortable'. They said: 'People are angry at how he was treated — and how much effort the authorities went to, as well as how much it cost. 'Couzens is constantly moaning in jail and had been complaining about back pain so was assessed in healthcare at the prison. 'The security operation to get him to and from the hospital would have easily run to more than £10,000. Advertisement 'He was taken straight from his cell into a Category A van, which is bullet-proof with a custody manager and at least four prison officers. 'While he was at the hospital, armed police would have been on guard. Couzens was classed as a 'high-risk escort' — not because he poses a danger but because of the danger to him from the public. 7 Vile killer cop Couzens kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in 2021 Credit: PA 'He is recognisable and reviled so they do not take chances. Advertisement 'He would have been treated on a ward — but in his own room — to keep him away from people. The prison and NHS have a duty of care to him, like they do with everyone. 'But this was apparently not even an emergency procedure and was basically done to relieve pressure on him and make him comfortable.' Ex-prison governor Vanessa Frake, who ran London's notorious Wormwood Scrubs, said: 'Getting prisoners to operations like this is all down to risk. It would have taken a while to plan with the police and the hospital, assessing not only his safety, but the safety of prison staff, healthcare staff, other patients and the public. Couzens should be at the very bottom of the pecking order when it comes to NHS treatment Former Met detective Peter Bleksley 'It's not an unusual thing for prisoners to go out to hospital. This is more unusual because he is who he is, and that makes it much more difficult not only for the prison staff but the hospital staff as well. Advertisement 'I understand people's concerns about it. But more than that, I think about Sarah Everard's family and how they must be feeling.' Sources said Couzens was 'reluctant' to move from the jail's hospital as he fears being attacked. 7 University Hospital of North Durham, where Couzens was treated Credit: Alamy We told in March 2022 how the former Met firearms officer had been allowed to buy an Xbox 360 as a reward for good behaviour. Advertisement But he then moaned after being barred from playing violent games like Call of Duty and Gears of War. Couzens — handed a whole-life tariff because of his heinous crimes — is housed with other fiends including double child murderer Ian Huntley and morgue monster David Fuller. He has previously been on suicide watch and is regularly placed on ACCT — Assessment, Care in Custody, and Teamwork — programmes which involve close monitoring of vulnerable lags. Former Met detective Peter Bleksley said: 'Couzens should be at the very bottom of the pecking order when it comes to NHS treatment. Advertisement 'It sticks in the craw when any killer like him is effectively whisked to the front of the queue. If anybody has had their procedures cancelled or even delayed so he can be treated, it is a scandal and an insult to the memory of Sarah.' The Prison Service would not comment on healthcare issues. 7 The vigil for Sarah Everard in 2021 Credit: Alamy 7 Kate Middleton seen here paying her respects as she turns up alone at the Sarah Everard memorial site on Clapham Common Credit: Enterprise Advertisement
BBC News
04-04-2025
- BBC News
Sarah Everard inquiry opens survey for police forces on culture
Police officers and staff are being asked for their views on recruitment, vetting, culture and standards as part of an inquiry into the circumstances around the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty police officer Wayne survey of those in England and Wales forces will form the second part of the Angiolini Inquiry, after its first report revealed Couzens should never have been given a job as a police inquiry is investigating whether there is a risk of issues happening again, such as failures in police vetting and in investigating reports of sexual will also look at police culture and address broader concerns around women's safety in public spaces. Couzens was sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison, after Ms Everard's murder in March inquiry found chances to stop Couzens were repeatedly ignored and missed, and its chairwoman Lady Elish Angiolini warned that without a radical overhaul of policing practices and culture, there was "nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight". Lady Elish said: "Over the last three years my inquiry has engaged with many officers and staff. I'm always encouraged by the commitment to serve the public."This survey opens the opportunity for all staff and officers to have their voices heard."If you're a police constable, a staff member or involved at any level in protecting the public on a day to day basis - this survey is for you, please take the chance to participate."The survey will run until 9 May and staff can check their force home page for information on how to take comes as Ms Everard's parents, Jeremy and Susan Everard, began campaigning last month for tougher sentencing for serious violent and sexual criminals as part of a new group called Justice for Victims launched in Parliament.
