Wayne Couzens admits to the kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard

A Metropolitan Police officer has admitted the kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old Durham University graduate who vanished while walking home from Clapham in March.

Wayne Couzens, 48, a diplomatic protection officer, also admits responsibility for her killing.

Couzens appeared at the Old Bailey on video link from Belmarsh prison in southeast London today.

He pleaded guilty to the kidnap of Ms Everard on March 3 and to her rape at an unspecified time between March 2 and March 10.

Ms Everard's mother, Susan, and father, Jeremy, were among members of her family present in court to hear Couzens plead guilty.

Couzens, a married father of two, has not yet entered a plea to the murder charge and is not due to enter any pleas in the case until next month.

His barrister, Jim Sturman QC, told the Old Bailey: "Responsibility for the killing is also admitted".

Sarah Everard was born in Surrey and moved to London about 12 years ago. She graduated from Durham University in 2008, where she studied Geography at St. Cuthbert's college.

The cause of her death was revealed by the Met last week as