Police officer Wayne Couzens charged with kidnap and murder of York woman Sarah Everard

A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with murder and kidnap over the case of Sarah Everard, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed.

Wayne Couzens is to appear in court over Ms Everard's murder over the weekend after remains were found in woodland in Ashford, Kent, by detectives on Wednesday.

The force confirmed today (Friday) that the remains were those of the 33-year-old marketing executive, who is originally from York.

Ms Everard was reported missing on Wednesday, March 3, after leaving a friend's flat in Clapham, South London.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick joins police officers at Clapham Common following the discovery of Sarah Everard's body

In an update this evening, Rosemary Ainslie, head of special crime at the CPS, said: “Following a referral of evidence by the Metropolitan Police related to the death of Sarah Everard, the CPS has authorised the police to charge Wayne Couzens with murder and kidnapping.

“He will appear at Westminster magistrates’ court tomorrow (13 March) for his first hearing.

“The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges to a court to consider.

“Criminal proceedings are now active and nothing should be published that could jeopardise the defendant’s right to a fair trial.”

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