Key Highlights
- Former Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick was found guilty of multiple sex offences against a 12-year-old girl and an adult woman.
- Carrick is already serving multiple life sentences for previous sexual violence, with his latest convictions adding to the total minimum term of 32 years in prison.
- The trial revealed a history spanning decades of abuse, including indecent assault, rape, and coercive control.
- Lawyer Shilpa Shah emphasized the severity of Carrick’s crimes and their impact on victims, particularly as he was a police officer during some of his offenses.
Background on David Carrick’s Case
The case against ex-Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick unfolded at the Old Bailey in London, where the 50-year-old faced multiple charges related to sexual offences spanning several decades. Carrick, who has already been imprisoned for life, was found guilty of nine counts, including indecent assault and rape, bringing his total sentence closer to a combined term of over three decades.
Verdicts and Offences
Jurors deliberated for five hours before reaching their verdict. Carrick, dressed in a suit and tie with four prison officers in the dock, shook his head repeatedly as the guilty verdicts were read out. The convictions included:
- Five counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16 between April 1989 and August 1990
- Two counts of rape against a woman, once between December 2014 and April 2016 then between January and December 2019
- A sexual assault charge against the same woman during the same period
- Coercive and controlling behaviour in relation to the same woman from 2016 to 2019
These offences, combined with his previous admissions of 71 charges of sexual violence over a 17-year period, highlight Carrick’s extensive criminal history.
Public and Judicial Response
Brian Farmer from the Old Bailey reported that during the trial, jurors heard how Carrick abused a young girl for about 18 months before she disclosed the abuse to her mother. The court also revealed that one of his victims had endured repeated rapes in what was described as a “toxic relationship.” A police interview with this woman played in court detailed instances where Carrick strangled her, called her names, and physically abused her.
The lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, Shilpa Shah, emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that they involved victims who had endured relentless abuse without consent. She noted that one victim was a child when she suffered indecent assault, while another was sexually abused by Carrick during his time as a senior police officer.
Public and Police Response
Hertfordshire Police praised the bravery of the victims who came forward with their stories. The force urged other potential victims to come forward if they had experienced similar abuses. In response to Carrick’s claims that he was motivated by the #MeToo movement, prosecutors presented his written confession found in his medical records, signed “Dave,” which acknowledged his actions against a 12-year-old girl.
Carrick denied the new charges during the trial but admitted to previous offences. His lawyer argued that some of the accusations were inconsistent with his character and claimed that his ex-partner had a motive for making false claims through the #MeToo movement.
Future Sentencing and Implications
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning, where Carrick’s total sentence will be determined. Given his history of 71 sexual offences over 17 years, as well as the new convictions, it is expected that his minimum term in prison will significantly increase.
This case underscores the importance of robust legal systems and the need for transparency in dealing with historical crimes, especially those committed by individuals in positions of trust. The public response to Carrick’s case highlights the ongoing relevance of issues surrounding sexual abuse, particularly when victims come forward years or even decades after the fact.
