British police accused of murdering a 33-year-old Londoner appeared in court for the first time on Saturday. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Agent Wayne Couzens, 48, who was guarding diplomatic buildings, is charged with kidnapping and murdering the March 3 death of Sarah Everard, who disappeared on her way home from a friend’s apartment. reported Reuters.
The dishonored policeman remained silent, wearing a gray tracksuit, while the charges were read to him during the brief hearing, The Associated Press reported. He was arrested and is due to appear in Central London Criminal Court on Tuesday.
Couzens, who joined the force in 2018, was found wounded in the head in the cell of the Wandsworth police station in south London on Thursday, his second night detained. He was taken to hospital for the second time on Friday.
Police confirmed on Friday that Everard’s body was found Wednesday in a wooded area of Kent, south-east London. According to The Sun, it had to be identified through dental records.
Authorities refused to grant permission for a vigil scheduled for Saturday near the site where Everard was last seen, citing the pandemic. Activists wanted the event to draw attention to the safety of women generated by their murder for a “Reclaim These Streets” vigil.
Video credit: REUTERS