David Carrick: Former Met police officer sentenced for ‘unrestrained campaign of rape and abuse of women’

Former Met Police officer David Carrick has been sentenced to 30 years and 239 days in prison for his “unrestrained campaign of rape and abuse of women.”

At Southwark Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb handed the 48-year-old 36 life sentences for sexual offences spanning 17 years and involving 12 victims, during his time as a police officer.

She described Carrick’s convictions as representing “a spectacular downfall for a man charged with upholding the law.”

She continued: “Behind a public appearance of propriety and trustworthiness, you took monstrous advantage of women. You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted women.”

Warning: readers may find the content in this article distressing. Rape Crisis runs a 24-hour helpline every day of the year. You can call for free on 0808 500 222, or chat to someone online.

Over the two days, the court heard that he held a black handgun to one woman’s head before telling her "you are not going" as he raped her.

Carrick used his “power and control” as a police officer to carry out the “violent and brutal” sex attacks.

Tom Little KC, prosecuting, told the court: “It did not matter to him who the victim was...if he had the opportunity, he would rape, sexually abuse or assault them, and humiliate them.”

Throughout the sentencing Carrick remained with a subdued expression and with his head down.

A number of victims were present in the courtroom - sitting just metres behind their attacker.

The Metropolitan Police apologised after it was revealed that Carrick had come to the attention of police over nine incidents, including rape allegations, between 2000 and 2021.

He told one girlfriend he “was the safest person she could be with” before holding a handgun to her head and raping her repeatedly.

He threatened another victim with his police baton and sent her a photograph of his work issued firearm, saying: “Remember, I am the boss.”

He used a whip “as punishment” and would lock the woman in a small cupboard under the stairs naked.

In another case he made one of his victims clean his house naked and called her his “slave”.

Mr Little KC told the court Carrick was no doubt aware that his victims would conclude they would be unlikely to be believed if they were to come forward on their own and claim that a Met Police officer had raped them.

Carrick, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to 49 charges, most of which are sexual offences.

His offences, which spanned almost two decades include:

• 5 counts of vaginal rape
• 24 counts of anal rape
• 19 counts of oral rape
• 1 count of indecent assault under the Sexual Offences Act 1956
• 2 counts of attempted rape
• 2 counts of assault by penetration of the vagina
• 3 counts of assault by penetration of the anus
• 1 count of attempted assault penetration of the anus with his fist
• 1 count of causing sexual activity without consent
• 12 counts of sexual assault involving him urinating in the mouth of the victim or over her
• 1 count of sexual assault with a belt

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “David Carrick’s crimes were unspeakably evil. The detail is harrowing.

“He subjected these victims and survivors to the most degrading and inhumane treatment and yet they still showed the courage to come forward and to provide the evidence that led to his conviction.

“He exploited his position as a police officer in the most disgusting way.

“He should not have been a police officer.

“We weren’t rigorous enough in our approach and as a result we missed opportunities to identify the warning signs over decades.

“I want to again reiterate my apology on behalf of the Met. We are truly sorry.”