London police officer charged with rape

Policeman worked for the same elite protection unit as Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens

A London police officer charged with rape has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Police Constable David Carrick, 46, was arrested on Saturday and suspended from his job the same day, the UK capital’s Metropolitan Police said.

On Sunday, the force said he had been charged with rape. Hertfordshire Constabulary said the alleged offence occurred in St Albans.

The court was told he "emphatically denies" attacking a woman whom he met for drinks after they connected on Tinder.

Carrick is due to appear at St Albans Crown Court on 1 November.

Malcolm McHaffie, the chief crown prosecutor of the CPS Thames and Chiltern, said on Sunday: "The CPS has today authorised Hertfordshire Constabulary to charge serving Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick, 46, with one count of rape following an alleged attack on a woman on the night of 4 September 2020."

He added: "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has a right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Carrick works for the London police unit responsible for protecting Parliament and diplomats, which also employed Wayne Couzens, who was sentenced to life in prison for the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard, 33.

Couzens, 48, was a serving Metropolitan Police officer when he carried out the attack in March.

The UK government and London’s police force are still trying to deal with the fallout from the case, which sparked an uproar among the public.

Couzens, who was jailed on Thursday, staged a false arrest on Everard as she walked home from a friend’s house.

On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that Couzens had been approved for armed patrols of Parliament on five occasions last year.

The head of the force, Commissioner Cressida Dick, said she was “deeply concerned” at the news Mr Carrick had been charged.

“I fully recognise the public will be very concerned too,” she said. “Criminal proceedings must now take their course, so I am unable to comment any further at this stage.”

Sarah Everard was the victim of a 'false arrest' before she was raped and murdered by police officer Wayne Couzens, a court has heard. PA

This court sketch shows Susan Everard, right, the mother of Sarah Everard, reading a victim impact statement as former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, left, sits in the dock at the Old Bailey in London. AP Photo

A prison van believed to be carrying Wayne Couzens arrives at the Old Bailey. Getty Images

A feminist group protests outside the central criminal court as the sentencing hearing for Wayne Couzens takes place. Getty Images

CCTV footage dated March 3 shows Wayne Couzens speaking to Sarah Everard by the side of the road in Poynders Court, south London. PA

CCTV footage shows Sarah Everard walking along Craster Road on March 3 in Brixton, south London. PA

Wayne Couzens is seen on CCTV footage from March 4 walking on Castle Street in Dover, Kent. PA

Wayne Couzens fills a jerry can with petrol at a BP forecourt in Whitfield, Dover, on March 5. PA

Wayne Couzens is seen carrying a boxed trolley as he leaves a Homebase in Folkestone, Kent, on March 8. PA

A photo issued by the Metropolitan Police shows a fire-damaged fridge found near to where the body of Sarah Everard was found. PA

Police also released this image of Wayne Couzens' car. PA

Handcuffs were recovered from Wayne Couzens' work locker in west London. PA

A belt was also recovered from Couzens' locker. PA

A police diver recovers a mobile phone belonging to Sarah Everard from a canal in Sandwich, Kent. PA

Footage from March 9 shows Wayne Couzens being questioned by police. PA

Social media has been flooded with posts from women relating their own experiences of harassment and assault, and calling for firmer political action against such crimes.

The London force, Britain’s biggest, has been widely criticised for advising women to flag down a passing bus if they are stopped by an officer whose actions appear suspicious.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed that advice in a BBC interview, but said: “My view is that the police do, overwhelmingly, a wonderful job.”

Mr Johnson urged “women of all ages to trust the police”.