Irish Examiner view: Sarah Everard killing exposed a dark side of a darker crime

Extensive powers were granted to British police officers during the pandemic

People gather at the band stand in Clapham Common, London, after the Reclaim These Streets vigil for Sarah Everard was officially cancelled. Picture: PA

Among the hideous, gruelling details of the trial of evil Wayne Couzens, who will serve a whole-life term for the kidnap, rape, and murder of marketing executive, Sarah Everard, lies a disturbing sub-plot about the extensive powers granted to British police officers during the Covid pandemic.

Sarah was abducted while walking home from a friend’s house at the height of the liberty-curtailing restrictions which were enacted upon the public in much of Europe, including Ireland.