David Carrick, one of the UK’s most prolific serial rapists, was arrested in July 2021 after a woman told police he had raped her multiple times, a tribunal heard
A Metropolitan Police officer probing David Carrick provided the serial rapist with transport home from the police station after his arrest on suspicion of rape, a tribunal has been told.
Carrick, 51, who formerly worked as an armed officer in the same force, ranks among the nation’s most heinous sex offenders and is presently serving 37 life sentences following attacks on more than a dozen women.
He was detained in July 2021 after a woman informed police he had raped her repeatedly during their five-month relationship, a misconduct hearing in south London was told.
Detective Sergeant Ray Mackennon, who at the time operated as a detective constable within the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), informed the tribunal on Wednesday he visited Stevenage police station on July 17 2021 “to get a more accurate sense of the investigation” into the allegations against Carrick.
Following Carrick’s interview and release, Mr Mackennon provided him and his welfare officer with transport back to Carrick’s home address in Stevenage – which the appropriate authority claims was an instance of “preferential treatment”, the tribunal was told.
Kevin Saunders, for the Met Police, said to Mr Mackennon: “You were there, impartially exploring all lines of inquiry – you have been told that the officer concerned has been accused of… raping the victim… and subjecting her to coercive and controlling behaviour.
“Notwithstanding all of that, you took Mr Carrick home – you gave him a lift.” Mr Mackennon informed the tribunal the welfare officer had turned up late to Stevenage police station owing to insufficient public transport, and because he didn’t own a vehicle.
“My concern was that a welfare officer was not at Stevenage, no transport – all I wanted to do was to get him (Carrick) home, get him to an address to return back to Stevenage police station (later),” Mr Mackennon said.
Mr Saunders pressed on: “There was absolutely no need for you to give Mr Carrick a lift home because his welfare officer was there.
“The reality is, they could have made their own way back to David Carrick’s house – but this was an example of you showing preferential treatment to David Carrick over the complainant at a very early stage. Do you agree with that?”
Mr Mackennon responded: “Of course not.”
When questioned about what was discussed in the vehicle, Mr Mackennon stated: “Nothing – we spoke generally, about where he worked.”
The tribunal additionally learnt that, following his return to Stevenage police station, Mr Mackennon discussed the allegation against Carrick with Hertfordshire Constabulary officers, who allegedly informed him that “without corroborating evidence” the complaint would probably be “NFA’d” – no further action.
He also documented in a report that “there were discrepancies around the account given by the complainant” – referred to as Female E – and referenced a suggestion that “the allegation was for revenge”, the tribunal was told. Mr Mackennon, however, refuted ever questioning the complainant’s credibility during the investigation.
An officer referred to in the proceedings as Officer A was assigned to investigate Carrick in August 2021, with Mr Mackennon appointed as the supervisor of the investigation within the DPS.
Mr Mackennon denies neglecting to ensure Officer A thoroughly investigated the allegations against Carrick made by Female E.
It is also alleged that Mr Mackennon failed to ensure or instruct Officer A to contact other witnesses in the case, neglected to ensure Officer A adequately investigated “derogatory, misogynistic, sexualised and grossly offensive Facebook messages” between Carrick and Female E’s partner, and did not contact Female E herself, the panel previously heard.
Shortly after lodging her complaint, Female E informed police she wished to halt the criminal investigation into Carrick, who was a serving police officer at the time, as she didn’t feel “mentally strong enough” to proceed, the misconduct panel heard.
The decision was subsequently taken to conduct a “streamlined investigation” for Carrick’s misconduct proceedings.
Mr Mackennon told the tribunal on Wednesday: “The victim had already been through an incredible ordeal and showed great courage to come forward and make those allegations.
“In the circumstances, it would have been unduly to add more pressure on the victim.”
Mr Saunders previously stated that the allegations against Mr Mackennon constituted a “grave dereliction of duty” and that the shortcomings in the misconduct investigation “are in part or wholly attributed to unconscious or conscious bias regarding Female E’s sex or race”.
If proven, the behaviour could equate to gross misconduct and warrant his dismissal.
In 2022 and 2023, Carrick admitted to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes against 12 other women over a span of 17 years.
In November of the previous year, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 12 year old child in the late 1980s and repeatedly raping and abusing a former female partner.
The misconduct hearing is set to continue on Thursday.