A Metropolitan Police officer, David Carrick, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years after being found guilty of a lengthy pattern of sexual offences spanning about three and a half decades.

The offences include assaults on a 12‑year‑old girl in the late 1980s, dozens of additional sexual offences, at least 71 sexual offences and 48 rapes, plus five counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16.

During the crimes, Carrick exploited his role as a police officer to manipulate victims, using threats with a work‑issue handgun and sustained coercion.

A detailed timeline shows missed opportunities within the Met to stop him, with investigations and internal handling from 2000 up to his arrest in October 2021 for a rape allegation.

Arrest footage released on bodycam captures Carrick’s demeanor during arrest, including him asking officers to search for something and making a joke about appearing naked.

Victims described him as manipulative and predatory, with admissions of keeping some women in a cupboard and using a baton, handcuffs, and a knife in assaults.

The case portrays a broader pattern rather than isolated incidents, involving victims met on dating apps such as Tinder and Badoo.

Legal proceedings emphasized prosecuting the decades‑long offending to reflect its full scale and impact on the victims.

Support from prosecutors and lawyers highlighted the prolonged abuse victims endured and the importance of accountability for decades of misconduct.