The Met Police say that they are "sickened, angered and devastated" by Wayne Couzens after he pleaded guilty to murdering Sarah Everard.

Couzens, from Deal, admitted the killing at the Old Bailey today, having already admitted to kidnap and rape.

Ms Everard's remains were found in a large builder's bag hidden in an area of woodland in Great Chart, near Ashford.

Police commisioner Cressida Dick said that her "thoughts and those of everyone in the Met Police are with Sarah's loved ones.

"It is not possible for any of us to begin to imagine what they have been going through. I am so sorry," she said.

"Sarah was a fantastic, talented young women with her whole life ahead of her and that has been snatched away.

"She was hugely loved and she will be sorely missed by so many people.

“All of us in the Met are sickened, angered and devastated by this man’s truly dreadful crimes. Everyone in policing feels betrayed".

Couzens first transferred into the Metropolitan Police from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), in September 2018.

His first posting was to the South Area in London, serving initially in a Safer Neighbourhood Team, before joining a response team covering the Bromley area in February 2019.

He then moved to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in February 2020 where his primary role was to patrol diplomatic premises, mainly embassies.

A Met Police spokesman said that a review showed that he passed vetting processes, and was not subject to any misconduct proceedings during his time with the force.

Ms Dick continued: "Ever since Sarah went missing, the sole priority of my investigation team, the search team and hundreds of others in the Met was to find Sarah and bring the person who has committed this terrible crime to justice as swiftly as possible.

“We are hugely indebted to Sarah’s family, friends and so many members of the public who helped the investigation in every single way they could, not least by making appeals and giving us information.

“No words can adequately express the profound sadness and anger and regret everyone in the Met what happened to Sarah.

“Today as every day our thoughts are with Sarah with her family, with her loved ones and they always will be.”

Couzens was remanded into custody. He will next appear at the Old Bailey to be sentenced on Wednesday, September 29.

Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) says it has served a total of 12 gross misconduct or misconduct notices on police officers from several forces as it investigates matters linked to the conduct of Couzens.

One of its investigations has examined the circumstances surrounding how Couzens sustained head injuries in custody on March 10 and 12 after he had been arrested on suspicion of the murder.

The IOPC says its investigation is nearing its conclusion and all officers involved have been treated as witnesses.

Other investigations still under way are:

• An investigation into alleged Met Police failures to investigate two allegations of indecent exposure linked to Couzens in London in February 2021. Two officers are being investigated for possible breaches of professional standards at misconduct level.

• An investigation into alleged Kent Police failures to investigate an indecent exposure incident linked to Couzens in Kent in 2015. No notices have been served.

• An investigation into allegations that a probationary Met Police constable shared an inappropriate graphic with colleagues via social media. The officer subsequently manned a cordon at the scene of the search for Ms Everard. Three officers have been served with gross misconduct notices.

• An investigation into allegations that officers from a number of forces breached standards of professional behaviour while sharing information linked to the prosecution of Couzens via a messaging app. One officer has been served with a gross misconduct notice and another six have received misconduct notices.

While the misconduct notices have been served it does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: “Our sympathies remain with the family of Sarah Everard and everyone affected by her death in such shocking circumstances.

“We share the horror that many will feel, knowing that Sarah’s killer was a police officer who had taken an oath to uphold the law and protect life and property.

"The offences Wayne Couzens has admitted add up to the worst betrayal of the public’s trust.

“We are still investigating a number of matters linked to PC Couzens and Sarah’s death, and we are working hard to bring those to as swift a conclusion as possible.”

A total of nine other conduct referrals in relation to Couzens were made to the IOPC by the Met which, following assessment, were sent back for investigation by the force.

Two of these were in relation to the kidnap, murder and rape of Sarah Everard and another concerned allegations of indecent exposure.

They remain the subject of an investigation by the Met.

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