An “evil” police officer who was unmasked as one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders has been jailed for at least 30 years.
David Carrick, 48, was branded a “monster” who carried out a “catalogue of violent and brutal sexual offences” against 12 women over a period of 17 years.
Victims described in court how they were raped, controlled and degraded by Carrick, who they feared was too “powerful” to be reported for his crimes.
The former Metropolitan Police officer pleaded guilty to 49 charges – including 24 counts of rape – covering a total of 85 offences.
He was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.
During his sentencing, the judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grub said: “These convictions represent a spectacular downfall for a man charged with upholding the law and empowered to do so even to the extent of being authorised to bear a firearm in the execution of his duty.
“Behind a public appearance of propriety and trustworthiness, you took monstrous advantage of women drawn into intimate relationships with you.
“You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted many women, some you barely knew. You behaved as if you were untouchable. You were bold and at times relentless, trusting that no victim would overcome her shame and fear to report you.”
The judge went on to speak about a serving Metropolitan Police officer who was raped by Carrick but felt she couldn’t report it to her colleagues.
She said: “The police officer you raped in 2004 had herself been trained to deal sensitively with complainants, but she didn’t report to you until 2021. The reason was shame and she didn’t want to put herself through reporting an anal rape. She described this as a hypocritical view, but she didn’t feel brave enough to do it, so she told herself to toughen up and move on.”
The court heard Carrick relied on his “charm” to “beguile and mislead” his victims, then used his “power and control” to stop them leaving or reporting him.
One woman, who was repeatedly raped by Carrick, told a friend that “nobody would believe her” if she reported the attacks because he “was a police officer and very powerful”.
The case is the latest in a spate of scandals at the Met Police, including the murder of Sarah Everard by then-serving officer Wayne Couzens.
