Wayne Couzens (Metropolitan Police/PA)
(Picture: PA Media)Former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens has appeared in court to face allegations he repeatedly indecently exposed himself to members of the public in the weeks before Sarah Everard was murdered.
Couzens, 49, is charged with four allegations of indecent exposure between late January and February 27 last year.
According to the charges, the officer, who was married at the time, is accused of exposing himself on Valentine’s Day.
The allegations span the six weeks before March 3 last year, when marketing executive Ms Everard, 33, was kidnapped from the streets of south London, raped, and then murdered.
Couzens, who is currently serving a whole life prison term, appeared via videolink from HMP Frankland at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday afternoon to face the indecent exposure charges.
Sporting a greying beard, Couzens offered “no indication” to the charges and elected a crown court trial.
“My legal team have advised me to go to the Crown Court”, he said.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Couzens in custody and sent the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 11 at the Old Bailey.
Prosecutor Tom Little QC told the court: “There are a number of complainants in this case.”
Sending the case, the judge said: “You have given no indication as to pleas in relation to the four matters.
“I determine on their own they would be suitable for summary trial in this court, and you elected crown court after I accepted jurisdiction.
“You were offered trial in this court and declined that.
I’m obliged to send this case to the Central Criminal Court, which you will probably know as the Old Bailey, and appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing on May 11.”
Details of the four alleged offences were not given in open court at today’s hearing.
