THE armed cop arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder after the disappearance of Sarah Everard was today rushed to hospital when he was found collapsed in his cell, the Sun can reveal.
Dad-of-two Wayne Couzens, 48, was this week arrested after Sarah, 33, seemingly vanished off the streets of London.
Follow our live blog for the latest developments on the case of missing Sarah Everard
And Met Pc Wayne Couzens was today found collapsed in his cell after suffering serious head wounds.
The 48-year-old was taken to hospital with a police guard mounted at the hospital following the shocking incident at Wandsworth police station, South West London.
A source told The Sun: “He was found unconscious in his cell with head injuries.
“The custody officers rushed in and gave him immediate first aid and he was taken to hospital.
“It caused a hell of a panic and serious questions are being asked over how it happened.”
It comes as…
The incident occurred while Couzens was spending a second night in custody at the police station. It is understood he was alone at the time he suffered the head injuries.
There is no suggestion that anyone else was involved.
The Met diplomatic protection cop was supposed to be monitored every 15 minutes under normal custody rules for potentially vulnerable prisoners.
Couzens has since been discharged and returned to custody, with his time in custody suspended during his hospitalisation.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards are thought to be investigating the incident.
The Metropolitan Police said: “The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment to a head injury sustained while in custody.
“He has since been discharged and returned to custody. We are not prepared to discuss further.”
It comes after a tragic development in the case as Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick last night said human remains had been found in woods — but did not confirm that they belonged to marketing executive Sarah, 33.
Cops had moved in on married dad-of-two PC Couzens after a car linked to him was allegedly spotted on a motorist’s dashcam near to where Sarah was last seen on the night of Wednesday March 3.
Police were last night investigating whether Wayne Couzens used his warrant card to entice Sarah into a car.
But police do not believe PC Couzens had ever met Sarah previously.
Sources told The Times that while detectives were searching social media messages, they had so far not found a link between Couzens and Everard.
The source said there was “so far there is no evidence” of a link but added: “You can’t be 100 per cent certain at this stage but so far it is a leading line of inquiry that Sarah didn’t know whoever attacked her.”
Last night Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she was “utterly appalled” that an officer had been arrested over Sarah’s disappearance.
The top cop confirmed human remains had been found in woodland near Ashford, Kent.
It is 30 miles from the Deal home where Met Police gun cop Couzens, 48, was arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of Sarah’s kidnap.
Neighbours said they saw Couzens led from the property shirtless by cops are they swooped.
The marksman, whose role involves guarding politicians and protecting events attended by senior royals, is believed to have worked a shift in South London that day.
His Ukraine-born wife Elena, 38, who works as a laboratory manager, has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A source said last night: “The working hypothesis is that he saw Sarah on the street for the first time and kidnapped her.”
And it was today reported that bus CCTV gave cops a breakthrough in the case.
PC Couzens is attached to the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) unit normally based at the Palace of Westminster.
Detectives probing Sarah’s suspected murder searched his locker yesterday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “shocked and deeply saddened by the developments in the Sarah Everard investigation”, adding “we must work fast to find all the answers to this horrifying crime”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel added: “I am deeply saddened by the developments in the Sarah Everard investigation. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Sarah, her family and friends at this unbearable time.
“Many women have shared their stories and concerns online since Sarah’s disappearance last week. These are so powerful because each and every woman can relate.
“Every woman should feel safe to walk on our streets without fear of harassment or violence.
“At this deeply sad and tragic time as we think and pray for Sarah and her family, I will continue through my role to do all I can to protect women and girls from violence and harassment.”
“Saturday I will stand for women like Sarah and all women just walking home.”
