by Ludwig Hippolytus
David Carrick has confessed to 48 rapes of at least 12 women. But there could be more than a thousand officers involved in sexual or domestic violence cases.
FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT It’s a stain on Scotland Yard that will be difficult to clean: because one of the worst serial rapists in British history has turned out to be an agent of the elite London Police force tasked with protecting diplomats and MPs. David Carrick, as the monster is called, has been leading a campaign of violence and terror against dozens of women for two decades: Yesterday in court he admitted to 48 rapes of at least 12 victims – although investigators assume many more – for a total of 85 serious ones sex offenses.
But what’s worse, if that’s possible, Scotland Yard have been warned of Carrick-related incidents nine times over the years – but they never took any action. “We failed,” admitted Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. I’m sorry: he shouldn’t have been a police officer. We failed as investigators because we should have connected the dots regarding his repeated misogyny over the course of two decades. And as leaders we should have been more determined to eradicate such a misogynist.” Downing Street said confidence in Scotland Yard was “shaken”.
Carrick used his role as a police officer to reassure potential victims, often contacting them on dating sites and then threatening them, saying no one would believe them. The Guardian obtained testimony from a woman who recounted how the officer threatened her with death, saying “I can kill you without leaving any evidence” and warning her that he could smuggle drugs into her car.
The serial rapist was a sadist who enjoyed humiliating women, handcuffing them, forcing them to be naked for hours, insulting them, calling them “slaves” and even urinating on them. Now he is finally risking a long prison sentence, which will be decided at the beginning of February.
But the real problem is that the whole of Scotland Yard is looking lousy: Police have admitted they’ve investigated 1,633 sex offenses or domestic violence cases involving 1,071 officers over the past decade. As Vera Baird, former Victims’ Officer for England and Wales, said: “London police seem incapable of not hiring some people who are bad enough”. And of course, the case of Sarah Everard, who was attacked and killed by another agent in a London park two years ago, comes to mind. Likewise, misogynistic, homophobic or racist behavior by active police officers has recently become known.
“The police must deal with the failures in this case – said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this morning during the Council of Ministers – restore public confidence and do everything possible to ensure the safety of women and girls.”
Jan 17, 2023 (change Jan 17, 2023 | 5:53 p.m.)
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