A senior police officer has revealed that a written confession by serial rapist David Carrick, which lay undiscovered for 35 years, could have dramatically altered the course of history had it been known at the time.
The Undiscovered Confession
In a note dated August 29, 1990, and filed within his medical records, Carrick admitted to abusing a 12-year-old girl. At the time, Carrick was a teenager, but he would later become one of Britain's most notorious sexual predators, using his position as an armed Metropolitan Police officer to evade detection for years.
The confession only came to light after Carrick, who is originally from Stevenage, was jailed for life in 2023 for a horrific catalogue of crimes against 12 women. It surfaced as part of a second investigation conducted by Hertfordshire Police.
A Missed Opportunity
Superintendent Iain Moor, the senior officer who led the investigation, stated that the future would have been 'very different' had Carrick's offending been identified in 1990. He acknowledged the challenge of applying today's safeguarding standards to the past but was clear about the potential impact.
'I think had something occurred and the police became aware back in 1990, then it is possible that the offending could have been picked up at that point and then the future looks very different,' Moor told the PA news agency. 'It's difficult to say exactly what that path would be, but I'm sure it'd be different to the one that we have today.'
The handwritten note, signed from 'Dave', contained a chilling admission. Carrick wrote that the girl was 'not crazy' and that his actions were 'true', but claimed he had stopped about four months prior. He offered to 'go away and never be seen again' and pleaded for the matter not to be discussed.
Justice for Victims
This early case came to light after the girl told her mother what was happening, but no further action was taken. The victim has since described how the matter was 'brushed under the carpet'.
In February 2023, Carrick was handed 36 life sentences with a minimum term of 32 years after pleading guilty to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes. The subsequent investigation, prompted by a public appeal, uncovered two further victims, including the one from 1990.
Superintendent Moor commended the bravery of the victims for coming forward, noting that it takes 'huge courage'. He emphasised the importance of the second prosecution, stating it was vital for the victims' voices to be heard and to aid their journey to recovery.
The 1990 case has put Carrick's offending into a new perspective, revealing it spanned approximately 30 years rather than the initially understood 17. Moor believes there could be more victims and has urged anyone with information to contact the police, assuring them that their reports will be fully investigated.
