A policeman who sent a vile message about Sarah Everard's death allegedly including drawings of an officer planning a murder is facing an investigation by the police watchdog.

The Metropolitan Police officer was stationed in woodland outside Ashford, Kent, where Sarah’s remains were discovered.

He reportedly sent the “meme” to seven colleagues, and it was eventually reported by officers "who were concerned by its content”.

In it, a policeman lays out six steps to abduction and murder in a dark parody of the Highway Code, the Daily Mail reports.

In one image, he holds up a hand and says “Stop single girl”.

It was sent on March 11, just a day after Sarah Everard’s body was found.

The 33-year-old marketing manager had not been seen or heard from since she left her friend's house in Clapham, south London, on the evening of March 3.

The Met Police said at the time: “Given the context of the officer's duties at the time, a voluntary referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in relation to this matter.

"The PC had been deployed as a cordon officer supporting the search operation in Kent in relation to the murder of Sarah Everard.

"The officer has been removed from these duties and placed in a non-public facing role while inquiries continue.

"The graphic does not contain photographic images, no images of Sarah, nor any other material obtained from or related to the investigation into Sarah's murder."

Wayne Couzens, the police officer charged with her kidnap and murder, appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, March 16, by video link from Belmarsh jail.

Wearing a red sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms, the 48-year-old appeared to have a wound on his forehead and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

A provisional trial was set for October 25, with a plea hearing on July 9.

Members of Sarah’s family joined the hearing by video link.

Couzens, of Deal, Kent, is charged with “unlawfully and by force or fraud“ taking Sarah against her will on Poynders Road on March 3.

He is further accused of murdering her “on or about” the same day.

Couzens sat with his head bowed throughout the hearing and was remanded into custody.

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