A London police officer was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison for violence against 12 women over 17 years, a series of attacks in which a judge said he took “monstrous advantage” of his victims as he abused his power as a police officer. The case of David Carrick is the latest in a series of harrowing episodes of violence against women that have led to calls for serious change at London's Metropolitan Police, the New York Times reports. The service has been accused of allowing a culture of misogyny to thrive and of failing to address violence against women and girls by its officers. In one of the most disturbing episodes, in 2021, officer Wayne Couzens, was sentenced to life in prison for the abduction, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard, a case that prompted national soul-searching and ignited calls for reforms.
Carrick, 48, was sentenced after a two-day hearing. Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb described how Carrick “took monstrous advantage of women” and “brazenly raped them.” Carrick must serve a minimum of 30 years and 239 days in prison. “You behaved as if you were untouchable,” the judge told Carrick, adding that he had carried out attacks that began almost immediately after he became a police officer. She noted that he had referred to his job repeatedly while assaulting his victims. Carrick pleaded guilty last month to 49 charges of crimes against 12 women from 2003 to 2020, including 24 counts of rape, numerous charges of sexual assault, controlling and coercive behavior, and false imprisonment.