Policeman David Carrick
A British police officer from a special unit tasked with protecting foreign parliamentarians and diplomats admitted to multiple charges of rape and a host of other sexual offenses spanning nearly two decades in a London court yesterday.
During a court hearing, David Carrick, 48, pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, in addition to the illegal arrest and indecent assault of a 40-year-old woman in 2003.
The judge also lifted restrictions imposed in December, revealing that Carrick had already then admitted to 43 charges against 11 other women, 20 of them for rape, over a 16-year period ending in September 2020.
The London Metropolitan Police apologized to his victims after learning that he was aware of various accusations of rape, domestic violence and harassment against him, despite which no criminal sanctions or internal disciplinary measures were imposed on him until his arrest in October 2021.
FORCE VERY CRITICIZED
London police have faced harsh criticism in recent years over the conduct of their officers, especially since the kidnapping, rape and murder of young executive Sarah Everard in south London in March 2021 by officer Wayne Couzens, who was also working in the diplomatic protection brigade.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, yesterday declared himself “disgusted and horrified” by Carrick’s crimes.
According to investigators, the officer met some of his victims through dating apps and social events and used his position as a police officer to gain their trust.
“It’s incredible to think that these crimes could have been committed by a police officer on duty,” said Detective Chief Inspector Iain Moor.
Describing Carrick as a “prolific serial sex offender” who “wrecked” their lives and undermined trust in the police, London Police Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray praised the bravery of the women who came forward to speak out. Carrick will be sentenced in February.
