Sarah Everard’s killer Wayne Couzens has chosen a trial by jury in a crown court to face four charges of indecent exposure.

The 49-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon by video link from Frankland prison, in Durham.

He sported a bushy grey beard and wore a grey prison-issue grey sweater.

Couzens is currently serving a whole-life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of 33-year-old marketing executive Ms Everard in March last year, while he was serving as a Metropolitan Police officer.

The alleged flashing incidents are understood to have taken place on four occasions in Swanley, Kent, in January and February last year.

Couzens, a former armed officer with the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, faces four counts of indecent exposure.

The charges state he allegedly “intentionally exposed his genitals intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm and distress”.

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He confirmed his name and date of birth to the court and gave no indication of pleas to any of the charges.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said the case was suitable for trial at the magistrates’ court.

However, when asked by the legal advisor where he wanted the case to be heard, Couzens said: “My legal team have advised me at the crown court.”

Mr Goldspring sent the case to the Old Bailey, where Couzens will next appear on 11 May.

He said: “Mr Couzens, you are charged with four offences relating to Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act.

“You have given no indication as to plea in relation to these four matters.

“I determined that on their own, without what we know happened subsequently, they would be suitable for trial in this court. As is your right, you have elected crown court trial.”

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