Serial perverts 'back on streets with slap on wrist' as justice system 'broken'

15 April 2023 , 19:31

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Wayne Couzens indecently exposed himself before going on to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard (Image: PA)

Serial sex offenders have been spared jail “time and time again” while the Conservatives have been in power.

A pervert who dodged a prison sentence five times is just one shocking case we uncovered after the row over Labour’s campaign ads highlighting Tory soft justice.

The fiend already had four convictions – three for sexual assault and one for indecent exposure – when he was let off again in 2021, after committing another flashing crime.

Instead of being locked up, he was handed his fourth community sentence, giving him unpaid work.

Sarah Everard was killed in March 2021 (PA)

The murder of Sarah Everard, 33, in 2021, by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens led to renewed calls to tackle supposedly lower-level sex offences.

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Both Couzens and Pawel Relowicz – the butcher who killed Hull student Libby Squires in 2019 – indecently exposed themselves before going on to abduct, rape and murder women.

But Ministry of Justice figures reveal a string of prolific sex offenders have managed to stay out of prison.

The worst case in 2020 was a man who kept exposing himself but still only got a community sentence when he went to court for the EIGHTH time.

In 2019, no less than six sex offenders appeared in court for their fourth offence – but all avoided jail.

Angela Rayner said Tories have 'broken the criminal justice system' (Paul Marriott)

Their crimes included sex assaults, indecent exposure, sexual grooming and sexual activity with a child.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “The Tories have been in charge 13 years and these latest revelations lift the lid on their appalling record on crime. They’ve broken the criminal justice system.”

David Spencer, of the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: “It is completely inappropriate serial offenders are getting a slap on the wrist time and again before being put back on the streets. It has to stop.”

The Ministry of Justice said sentencing is “a matter for independent judges” but new laws will “ensure the most serious offenders face longer behind bars”.

Matthew Davis