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Their statement came after Lord Justice Fulford made a historic ruling and handed the evil former policeman a whole life order for the “warped, selfish and brutal” murder. Couzens bowed his head and shook slightly as the judge told him his “grotesque” crimes, committed while he was a serving officer, made the seriousness of the case “exceptionally high” and warranted the maximum sentence allowed.

Justice Fulford added: “There was significant planning and premeditation; the victim was abducted; there was the most serious sexual conduct.”

Defence lawyer Jim Sturman QC argued for a minimum term of 35 to 37 years, but even he branded the crimes “wicked”.

Sarah’s family said: “We are very pleased that Wayne Couzens has received a full life sentence…knowing he will be imprisoned forever brings some relief.”

They added: “Wayne Couzens held a position of trust as a police officer and we are outraged and sickened that he abused this trust in order to lure Sarah to her death. The world is a safer place with him imprisoned.”

Lord Justice Fulford said Couzens had betrayed the public’s “critical trust” in the police when he kidnapped, raped and strangled Sarah after falsely arresting her.

He told the killer: “It is critical that every subject in this country can trust police officers when they encounter them and submit to their authority.”

Mr Sturman said Couzens’ crimes did not justify a whole life order ‑ normally handed out to serial killers, repeat murderers or fanatics and terrorists.

But the judge said: “The misuse of a police officer’s role, such as occurred in this case in order to kidnap, rape and murder a lone victim, is of equal seriousness as a murder carried out for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.

“All of these situations attack different aspects of the fundamental underpinnings of our democratic way of life.”

After Couzens was taken to the cells at the Old Bailey, the judge praised the police. Sarah’s parents, Jeremy and Susan hugged officers.

The family said they were “immensely grateful” to the police and prosecution lawyers.

They added: “We remember all the lovely things about Sarah ‑ her compassion and kindness, her intelligence, her strong social conscience.

“But we especially like to remember her laughing and dancing and enjoying life. We hold her safe in our hearts.”

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