LONDON ( Associated Press) – A former London police officer was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison Tuesday for raping and sexually assaulting a dozen women over a 17-year period.
David Carrick, 48, admitted last month that he is a multiple rapist, in what prosecutors say is one of the most horrific cases of a police officer involved in criminal acts.
Carrick, who joined the force in 2001, pleaded guilty to 49 offenses including 24 rapes and assault, attempted rape and imprisonment. His crimes were committed between 2003 and 2020.
At Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Bobbie Cheema-Grubb declared that the defendant “monstrously took advantage of women” under the pretext of trust and public decency.
“You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted women, in some cases brutally, and acted as if you were untouchables. He was brazen and merciless and thought that none of his victims would recover from their shame and would not have the courage to defame him,” declared the magistrate.
“Everything went well for them for nearly two decades, but now those 12 women and their police colleagues have used the evidence to expose and stop them,” he said.
The judge said Carrick attempted suicide while being held at a maximum security prison in London.
The Metropolitan Police has apologized to victims after reports emerged of nine allegations of rape and other crimes committed by Carrick between 2000 and 2021. Carrick was suspended from the force in 2021 only after he was arrested over alleged rape.
This is the latest scandal involving London’s Metropolitan Police, Britain’s largest police agency.
Authorities have come under pressure from the Metropolitan Police to change its standards following a series of allegations of abuse and racism in its ranks.
Interior Secretary Suella Braverman said on Tuesday that Carrick’s crimes were “a blot on our police.” He said an inquiry has been initiated into his conduct and the decision to hire him forcibly.
