On 3 March 2021, a woman disappeared while walking home in South London.

The man who stopped her presented himself as a police officer and invoked COVID regulations. What followed would lead to one of the most consequential criminal cases in recent British policing.

In this episode, Dangerous Trust examines the investigation into Sarah Everard’s disappearance, the court proceedings that followed, and the institutional reviews conducted afterwards.

Drawing on sentencing remarks, oversight investigations and national inspection reports, the episode explores how authority functions in public life — and what happens when that authority is misused.

Content Advisory

This episode discusses violence against women, including sexual violence and murder.

Some listeners — particularly those with lived experience of violence or trauma — may find the content difficult.

Please take care while listening. Support resources are listed below.

Case Sources

Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) Sentencing remarks in R v Wayne Couzens (30 September 2021)

Metropolitan Police Service investigation records

Independent Office for Police Conduct investigations:

Operation Mondego

Operation Karatash

Operation Argens

Legal Context

UK offences referenced in this episode include:

Kidnap Rape Murder

The case resulted in a whole life order, the most severe sentence available under UK criminal law.

The sentencing remarks also addressed the misuse of police authority and the constitutional importance of public trust in policing.

Data Sources

Office for National Statistics Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS): Perceptions of policing and criminal justice system reports

HMICFRS Inspection into police vetting, misconduct and misogyny

Baroness Casey Review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service (2023)

Support Resources (UK)

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

Rape Crisis England & Wales 0808 500 2222

Victim Support 08 08 16 89 111

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Host: Sara Santoro

Production: Dangerous Trust