Wayne Couzens has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Sarah Everard.
The former police officer was handed a whole life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison and will never be considered for release unless on exceptional compassionate grounds.
Sarah, 33, vanished while walking home from her friend’s house at around 9pm on March 3 in Clapham, South London, and her remains were later found in an area of woodland in Kent.
Women should feel safe everywhere.#SarahEverard #SheWasJustWalkingHome pic.twitter.com/126Dq1TKIw
— All On The Board (@allontheboard) September 29, 2021
Sarah’s disappearance and murder sparked an important conversation about women’s safety, highlighting the dangers women face on a daily basis – whether they’re walking home from work, or simply popping to the shop.
Earlier this month, a 28-year-old school teacher named Sabina Nessa was murdered on her way to met a friend.
A 36-year-old has been arrested in relation to her murder.
Her name was Sabina Nessa. She was a 28-year-old primary school teacher in Catford, described by the head teacher as “brilliant, kind and dedicated to her pupils.” She was killed walking home mid-evening through the park. #SayHerName https://t.co/b7gFf9j4vD
— Sonia Sodha (@soniasodha) September 22, 2021
Some famous faces have been reacting to the sentencing of Wayne Cuzins online.
Singer Masie Peters took to Twitter to write: “Have been thinking about Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa all week. I’m once again reevaluating plans and whether it’s worth it to go out past 6pm and potentially get murdered. Imagine that’s a thing I think every evening.”
She added: “My thoughts are with their families and with every other woman struggling right now.”
Irish actress Nicola Coughlan tweeted: “Systemic change is desperately needed. Here is some Self Defence Spray that some of us may want to get in the meantime.”
have been thinking about sarah everard and sabina nessa all week. i’m once again reevaluating plans and whether it’s worth it to go out past 6pm and potentially get murdered. imagine that’s a thing i think every evening
— maisie peters signed up for this (@maisiehpeters) September 30, 2021
Systemic change is desperately needed. Here is some Self Defence Spray that some of us may want to get in the meantimehttps://t.co/OqwxZQOqns pic.twitter.com/lVNbzH7Wpe
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) September 30, 2021