Serial police rapist sentenced to a minimum of 30 years

Serial rapist David Carrick was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison on Tuesday for using his position as a Metropolitan Police officer in the rape and sexual abuse of 12 women over the course of 17 years.

In a sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court, Mrs Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb, gave Carrick, who had served in an elite armed protection unit, 36 life sentences for his offences, which included 24 counts of rape.

The case has shocked the nation, putting the spotlight on a culture of misogyny and violence in parts of the police, and exposing the historic failure of London’s Met in particular to root out predators within the ranks.

The 48-year-old armed protection officer, who was only stripped of his position last month, pleaded guilty to almost all of the charges against him. He had attempted suicide in Belmarsh prison last year while on remand, the court heard.

Following the sentencing, Home secretary Suella Braverman said: “The crimes of David Carrick are a scar on our police, and it is only right that he now faces at least 30 years behind bars. I pay tribute to the brave women who have come forward to hold him to account for his vile abuse.”

Over the two-day sentencing, the court heard graphic details of how Carrick degraded, raped and sexually assaulted 12 women during almost two decades when he was serving as an officer.

The judge took account of Carrick’s decision since December to plead guilty to most of the charges against him, which spared his many victims the traumatic prospect of a court scrutinising the evidence.

But, Cheema-Grubb said, this came only after he had persistently denied the crimes he was accused of and after the prosecution and complainants had been obliged to prepare for trial.

She said Carrick’s use of his position as a police officer to “entice and intimidate” his victims constituted aggravating circumstances.

“The malign influence of men like you in positions of power stands in the way of a revolution of women’s dignity,” Cheema-Grubb said.

“Even today, courage calls to courage everywhere and its voice cannot be denied,” she said, adding that Carrick had displayed an “astonishing degree of moral corruption”.

Tom Little KC, prosecutor, described Carrick’s crimes as “systematic”.

Carrick will serve at least 30 years and 239 days before the parole board can consider his release.

The case has piled pressure on the police to toughen up its vetting procedures following a litany of scandals involving misogyny and acts of sexual violence from within its ranks.

Outside the courtroom, in south London, one demonstrator called out: “Who do we report to when the rapists are police?” Others chanted: “Police everywhere, safety nowhere.”