Metropolitan Police Officer Gave Serial Rapist David Carrick a Lift Home During Investigation
A Metropolitan Police officer investigating serial rapist David Carrick gave the convicted sex offender a lift home and chatted with him about his job, a misconduct tribunal has heard. The shocking revelation emerged during proceedings examining alleged failures in the handling of Carrick's case.
The Controversial Encounter
Detective Sergeant Ray Mackennon told the tribunal on Wednesday that he had attended Stevenage police station on July 17, 2021, to gain a more accurate understanding of the investigation into allegations against Carrick. At the time, DS Mackennon was working as a detective constable within the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).
Kevin Saunders, representing the Metropolitan Police, confronted Mr Mackennon about his actions. '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,' Mr Saunders stated. 'Notwithstanding all of that, you took Mr Carrick home - you gave him a lift.'
Defence and Criticism
Mr Mackennon defended his decision, explaining that a welfare officer had arrived late to Stevenage police station due to a lack of public transport and because the officer did not have a car. '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),' he argued.
However, Mr Saunders countered this explanation forcefully. 'There was absolutely no need for you to give Mr Carrick a lift home because his welfare officer was there,' he said. '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 the conversation during the car journey, Mr Mackennon stated: 'Nothing - we spoke generally, about where he worked.'
Background of the Case
David Carrick, 51, previously worked as an armed officer in the same police force. He was arrested in July 2021 after a woman reported he had raped her multiple times. In 2022 and 2023, Carrick pleaded guilty to 71 sexual offences, including 48 rapes against 12 women over a 17-year period. He is currently serving 37 life sentences for these horrific crimes.
Allegations of Investigation Failures
The tribunal further heard concerning details about the investigation's handling. After returning to Stevenage police station, Mr Mackennon discussed the allegation against Carrick with Hertfordshire Constabulary officers. They reportedly told him that 'without corroborating evidence' the complaint would likely be 'NFA'd' (no further action).
Mr Mackennon also wrote in a report that 'there were discrepancies around the account given by the complainant' - referred to as Female E - and made reference to a suggestion that 'the allegation was for revenge.' He denied ever calling the complainant's credibility into question during the investigation.
Further Misconduct Allegations
Additional serious allegations have been made against Mr Mackennon regarding his supervision of the investigation. An officer referred to as Officer A was appointed to investigate Carrick in August 2021, with Mr Mackennon made supervisor of the investigation within the DPS.
It is alleged that Mr Mackennon:
- Failed to ensure Officer A adequately investigated the allegations against Carrick made by Female E
- Failed to ensure or direct Officer A to contact other witnesses in the matter
- Failed to ensure Officer A adequately investigated 'derogatory, misogynistic, sexualised and grossly offensive Facebook messages' between Carrick and Female E's partner
- Failed to contact Female E herself
Victim's Withdrawal and Streamlined Investigation
The misconduct panel heard that shortly after making her complaint, Female E told police she wanted to stop the criminal investigation into Carrick, who was a serving police officer at the time, as she did not feel 'mentally strong enough' to continue. Subsequently, a decision was made to carry out a 'streamlined investigation' for Carrick's misconduct proceedings.
Mr Mackennon told the tribunal: '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.'
Serious Consequences
Mr Saunders previously stated that the accusations against Mr Mackennon represented a 'grave dereliction of duty' and that the failures in the misconduct probe 'are in part or wholly attributed to unconscious or conscious bias regarding Female E's sex or race.' If found proven, the behaviour could amount to gross misconduct and justify Mr Mackennon's dismissal.
In November last year, Carrick was convicted of additional crimes, including molesting a 12-year-old child in the late 1980s and repeatedly raping and abusing a female ex-partner. The misconduct hearing will resume on Thursday as authorities continue to examine the handling of this devastating case.
