A former police officer who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard will return to the Old Bailey today (September 29) to learn if he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Wayne Couzens, 48, was a serving Pc with the Metropolitan Police when he snatched Ms Everard as she walked home in Clapham, south London, on the evening of March 3.

The sexual predator, who had clocked off from a 12-hour shift that morning, went on to rape and strangle the 33-year-old marketing executive.

Wandsworth Times: Missing persons sign outside Poynders Court on the A205 in Clapham, during the search for Sarah Everard. Victoria Jones/PA Wire.Missing persons sign outside Poynders Court on the A205 in Clapham, during the search for Sarah Everard. Victoria Jones/PA Wire.

A week after she disappeared, Ms Everard's body was found in a woodland stream in Ashford, Kent, just metres from land owned by Couzens.

Wandsworth Times: Sarah Everard - Metropolitan PoliceSarah Everard - Metropolitan Police

The firearms-trained parliamentary and diplomatic protection officer wiped his phone just minutes before he was arrested at his home in Deal, Kent, on March 9.

The killing prompted national outrage and sparked protests at the rate of violence against women.

In July, Couzens pleaded guilty to Ms Everard's murder, kidnap and rape by video link from jail.

Wandsworth Times: Former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, who will appear at the Old Bailey in LondonFormer Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, who will appear at the Old Bailey in London

On Wednesday, he will come face-to-face with his victim's family when he is brought into the dock of the Old Bailey for the start of his sentencing.

Prosecutor Tom Little QC will open the case, revealing more information about how Ms Everard met her death and how police tracked down the culprit.

Couzens' lawyer Jim Sturman QC is then expected to offer mitigation on behalf of the defendant.

Before handing down his sentence on Thursday, Lord Justice Fulford will consider a whole life order, which could mean Couzens may never be released from prison.

Speaking outside the Old Bailey in July, Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she was "very sorry" for the loss, pain and suffering of the Everard family.

She said: "All of us in the Met are sickened, angered and devastated by this man's truly dreadful crimes. Everyone in policing feels betrayed."

The police watchdog has received a string of referrals relating to the Couzens case, with 12 police officers being investigated.

Wandsworth Times: People in the crowd turn on their phone torches as they gather in Clapham Common, London, for a vigil for Sarah Everard. Victoria Jones/PA Wire.People in the crowd turn on their phone torches as they gather in Clapham Common, London, for a vigil for Sarah Everard. Victoria Jones/PA Wire.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was looking at whether the Met failed to investigate two allegations of indecent exposure relating to Couzens in February, just days before the killing.

Kent Police are also being investigated over their response to a third allegation of indecent exposure dating back to 2015.

The case has prompted renewed concern about police recruitment checks and why Couzens continued to hold a warrant card, despite the allegations of sexual offences.

Scotland Yard has said there was no information available at the time that would have altered the vetting decision in his case.