The family of Sarah Everard have said that knowing her killer will spend the rest of his life in jail ‘brings some relief.’

In a statement released after the sentencing of Wayne Couzens, they said they were ‘very pleased’ he had been given a rare full life sentence.

Couzens is unlikely to ever be freed after he abused his power as a police officer to rape and murder the marketing executive.

Sarah’s family, who spoke movingly in court during the hearing, said nothing would ever make things better but they believe the world is safer place with Couzens in jail.

Their statement said: ‘We are very pleased that Wayne Couzens has received a full life sentence and will spend the rest of his life in jail. Nothing can make things better, nothing can bring Sarah back, but knowing he will be imprisoned forever brings some relief.’

Sarah was walking home from a friends’ house in Clapham when she was targeted at random by Couzens, who had been driving around looking for a victim.

He used his warrant card and handcuffs to make a false arrest under the guise of Covid lockdown rules.

He then drove her 80 miles away before raping her, strangling her to death with his police belt and burning her body.

Sarah’s family’s statement added that she had ‘lost her life needlessly and cruelly’ and ‘all the years of life she had yet to enjoy were stolen from her.’

They said they were ‘outraged and sickened’ that Couzens had abused his position of trust as a police officer ‘in order to lure Sarah to her death.”

Couzens himself refused to look at the family as they spoke in court yesterday but his lawyer stressed he was remorseful.

Parents, Jeremy and Susan Everard, clasped hands and hugged police officers after he was taken down to the cells upon being given his sentence.

Their statement added: ‘It is almost seven months since Sarah died and the pain of losing her is overwhelming. We miss her all the time. She was a beautiful young woman in looks and character and our lives are the poorer without her.

‘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.

‘We are immensely grateful to the police and legal team who worked on Sarah’s case. We cannot thank them enough for their meticulous and painstaking work and for their constant support. We also send our heartfelt thanks to our family and friends for comforting us through this terrible time.’

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