A former Metropolitan Police constable who told a female colleague 'I hope you get Wayne Couzened' has been banned from the force following a misconduct hearing. Michael Needham, previously assigned to the North West command unit, also allegedly threatened to 'rape' and 'annihilate' the officer, identified only as Pc X.
Incident at a London Pub
The misconduct panel heard that Needham made the remarks while off-duty at a pub in London in early 2025. According to Pc X, Needham said: 'I'll rape you, I'll pin you down and annihilate you. You know I'm stronger than you, don't you? You do know that, don't you?' The female officer told the panel she 'froze' and turned her back on him. Later that evening, Needham allegedly added: 'I hope you get Wayne Couzened on the way home,' which she interpreted as a reference to the murder of Sarah Everard.
Background on Wayne Couzens
Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer, kidnapped, raped, and murdered 33-year-old Sarah Everard in Clapham, South London, on March 3, 2021. He misled her into believing she could be arrested for breaking Covid lockdown rules as she walked home. Couzens received a whole-life jail term at the Old Bailey in September 2021.
Panel's Findings
Needham consistently denied making the alleged remarks or anything similar that could have been misheard. However, the panel found on the 'balance of probabilities' that both incidents occurred as Pc X alleged. The panel stated: 'Former Pc Needham has behaved in a manner while off duty that is liable to bring discredit on the police service or undermine public confidence in policing. We consider that a victim reporting a sexual assault, or involved in a relationship where they were subject to coercive and controlling behaviour, would have little confidence in the Metropolitan Police Service if they knew of this conduct.'
The panel added: 'Further, his language towards Pc X was abusive, oppressive, harassing, bullying and offensive. We consider that a fully informed member of the public would have considered former Pc Needham's behaviour to have been egregious. Wayne Couzens, as a police officer who abused his position to commit the most serious offences of rape and murder, has become a byword for what can happen if serving officers can or are perceived to behave with impunity.'
Outcome
The panel ruled that Needham would have been dismissed if he were still serving and ordered his addition to the College of Policing barred list. He was criminally investigated over the remarks but no further action was taken.
