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Police officers

Wayne Couzens' Whole-Life Sentence for Sarah Everard's Murder Under Review

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Senior judges on Wednesday considered challenges or appeals to the prison sentences of five killers, including former police officer Wayne Couzens, who was sentenced to a whole-life term for the kidnap, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard. Couzens, 49, appeared by video link from HMP Frankland, arguing that the sentence was excessive and that he deserved "decades in jail" rather than a whole-life order. His barrister, Jim Sturman QC, argued that Couzens' remorse and guilty pleas should balance out the aggravating factor of his being a police officer at the time of the crime.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wayne Couzens, 49, is appealing his whole-life term for the kidnap, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard, arguing that it is excessive and that he deserves "decades in jail" instead.
  • Couzens' barrister, Jim Sturman QC, argued that Couzens' remorse and guilty pleas should balance out the aggravating factor of his being a police officer at the time of the crime.
  • The court heard written submissions from Sturman that Couzens is unique among the 64 people serving whole-life orders for a similar crime.
  • Tom Little QC, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, argued that Couzens' offending was of the "utmost seriousness" and that a whole-life order was a correct sentence.
  • The court is also considering appeals from Emma Tustin, Thomas Hughes, Ian Stewart, and Jordan Monaghan, who are all serving prison sentences for murder or manslaughter.

Statistics:

  • 64 people are currently serving whole-life orders in the UK.
  • Wayne Couzens is the first person to receive a whole-life sentence for a single murder of an adult not committed in the course of a terror attack.
  • Couzens was sentenced to a minimum of 33 years and 3 months for kidnapping, rape, and murder.
  • The court will deliver its decision in writing at a later date.

Sources:

  • "Couzens deserves 'decades in jail' but not a whole-life order, court hears". BBC News.
  • "Wayne Couzens: Former police officer appeals against whole-life term for Sarah Everard murder". The Guardian.

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