at six, a police officer pleads guilty to murdering sarah everard after snatching her from a street in south london. the 33—year—old had been walking home from a friends in march when she was taken by pc wayne couzens. he raped and murdered her before dumping her body in kent. the head of the met today apologised to sarah's family. all of us in the met are sickened, angered and devastated by this man's crimes. they are dreadful. couzens could now spend the rest of his life behind bars. also tonight:

coronavirus infections across the uk back at levels not seen since january, as more and more people are forced to self—isolate. a first for italy, as matteo berrettini becomes the first italian to reach a wimbledon singles final. focused on the task ahead — as england prepare for sunday's final against italy, their captain says the team must enjoy these moments of history. i think we've shown that we'rejust normal lads, you know, we wear the badge with pride, but we represent the country in a way that makes everyone else proud as well. and coming up on the bbc news channel, history for mark cavendish — he equals the all—time record for stage wins on the tour de france after a thrilling victory today.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. a metropolitan police officer has pleaded guilty to the kidnap, rape and murder of sarah everard, who disappeared from the streets of south london in march. pc wayne couzens snatched the 33—year—old marketing executive as she walked home from a friend's house at around nine at night. it's still not clear what motivated his attack on a complete stranger. sarah everard's family were in court as he admitted murder. the head of the metropolitan police, dame cressida dick, spoke to them afterwards and apologised for their loss, pain and suffering. our special correspondent lucy manning reports. what happened to sarah everard is what many woman often fear — the fear of walking home alone. sarah was just walking home, and that night the life

that she hadn't fully lived ended. the man responsible, wayne couzens, in the custody of his own force — a policeman, also a kidnapper, rapist and murderer. abusing his police promise to uphold the law, he broke it in the most brutal way. after couzens pleaded guilty today, we can now report more about what happened to the marketing executive originally from york. three days before she disappeared, wayne couzens reserved a vauxhall astra hire car in kent. he also bought a roll of strong self—adhesive film. this is the last picture of sarah, buying wine, heading to a friend's house. just after 9:30 on poynders road, a busy main road in clapham, a bus camera shows that vauxhall astra on the pavement. two people, presumed to be sarah and couzens, are standing there. the hire car then heads out of london to kent. couzens faced allegations of indecent exposure in london three

days before kidnapping sarah and, it was revealed today, similar allegations in 2015 in kent — possible police failures now being investigated. this is where sarah was last seen. when couzens was arrested, he lied and lied. he claimed he owed money to an eastern european gang for underpaying a prostitute and they threatened his family and ordered him to deliver them another girl. he admitted kidnapping sarah but said he had handed her over, alive and unharmed, to the gang when they stopped his car on the way out of london. the truth was that couzens raped and murdered the 33—year—old, hiding her body deep in the kent countryside so it took a week to find her remains. as met police officers searched, the murderer was in their ranks. two days after he'd kidnapped her, couzens had bought

two builder's bags at b&q. her body was found in one. the metropolitan police commissioner looked shaken. in court, she'd satjust feet from the everard family. i was able to speak to them earlier today and say again how very sorry i am for their loss and fortheir pain and their suffering. all of us in the met are sickened, angered and devastated by this man's crimes. they are dreadful, and everyone in policing feels betrayed. shame on you, shame on you, shame on you...! questions for the force how couzens could have been cleared to carry a gun when he would go on to kill. and the police watchdog is now investigating what met officers did when he exposed himself twice

just days before the murder, and what kent officers did about similar allegations six years ago — could he have been stopped? the murder of one woman resonated with thousands of others — demands that the streets must be safe, violence against women must stop, harassment and abuse must be taken more seriously. the everard family had one wish — that sarah would come home safely. but a policeman took her future away. day metropolitan police have faced many difficult times and much criticism, but this must be the darkest day, their officer pleading guilty to murder. and how to become an officer when he had faced exposure allegations in 2015 in 2015 in kent? and what happened three days before sarah was kidnapped,

when he faced more exposure allegations? what was done about that, and could he have been stopped? and a criticism of the metropolitan police over this and other issues, it goes right to the top, two cressida dick — just what is happening inside the metropolitan police? and the wider police force as well, because the police watchdog is investigating 12 officers in connection to the sarah everard investigation — some from the metropolitan police, others from other forces as well. and it also poses this wider question — well violence against women be policed in a different way? will women feel safer on the streets? there are no answers to that at the moment, and no answers to the question is the everard family have, which isjust what happened to sarah, because although wayne couzens expressed his regret, his remorse through his lawyer, he is still refusing to say exactly what happened. lucy manning, thank you.

coronavirus infections in the uk have risen to their highest level for five months. the office for national statistics suggests around 400,000 people would have tested positive for the virus last week. the surge in infection has seen a large number of people being contacted via the nhs covid tracing app, and today the government said the app, used in england and wales, may need to be altered as coronavirus restrictions change. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. have you been pinged lately? 26 million people have downloaded the nhs covid app, though it's unclear how many have it switched on. the app uses bluetooth to detect the distance between phones, and if someone tests positive, will ping those who have been in close proximity, within two metres for 15 minutes, and advise them to self—isolate. the planned ditching of social distancing in england might lead to the sensitivity of the app being reduced. as our restrictions change,

of course the app needs to change in line. things like the relaxing of the one metre plus rule, for example, on the 19th ofjuly, might well lead to a review of the way the app itself needs to function. but labour says the sensitivity of the app shouldn't be weakened. this feels like taking the batteries out of the smoke detector, and that is never a good idea. that is an important protection. i am equally worried by the stories of people deleting the app altogether. as covid cases have risen, so have the number of app alerts. 360,000 people received one in the last week ofjune. this climbing centre in surrey had to close after nearly all its staff were pinged. i don't even know what's going to happen for the future, but obviously there is an immediate impact on the basis that we're losing income, again. and it's going to hurt. the latest survey from the office for national statistics suggests

that around 400,000 people in the uk had covid last week, up nearly 60% on the previous week. in england, it's estimated that one in 160 people were infected. in scotland, one in 100 had covid. in wales, it was one in 340, and in northern ireland, one in 300. new analysis of covid infection data has confirmed children are at extremely low risk from coronavirus. there were 25 deaths among 12 million under—18s in england. half of those had complex neuro disabilities. there were no deaths in children who had asthma as a single diagnosis, no deaths in children who had cystic fibrosis, no deaths in children who had trisomy 21 or down syndrome, and no deaths in children and young people who had type one diabetes.

this research, suggesting a two in a million chance of dying among children, may persuade some scientists against recommending covid jabs for 12—17—year—olds, a decision that's due very shortly. fergus walsh, bbc news. the latest official figures show that in the past 24 hours, 29 deaths were reported, and 35,707 new infections were recorded across the uk, the highest figure since the end of january. it means on average 29,435 new cases were reported per day in the past week. more than 96,000 people received a first dose of the vaccine in the latest 24—hour period. almost 45.7 million people have had their firstjab, 86.8% of uk adults. more than 175,000 people have had their second dose, meaning more than 34 million

people are fully vaccinated, that's 65.3% of adults. the travel industry is reporting a rush to book summer holidays now that restrictions are being eased. passengers returning to the uk are being warned that they could face longer queues at ports and airports. 0ur transport correspondent caroline davies is here. a lot of people very excited that they can now go away, but it is not going to be a straightforward summer, is it?— going to be a straightforward summer, is it? ., , ., , summer, is it? no, it is not. this is a significant — summer, is it? no, it is not. this is a significant move _ summer, is it? no, it is not. this is a significant move for- summer, is it? no, it is not. this is a significant move for the - summer, is it? no, it is not. this| is a significant move for the travel industry, and of course of the industry, and of course of the industry are ramping up quite significantly, but more passengers could mean longer queues at the border as well. we do know from immigration officials it takes three times longer to process each person because of the additional paperwork. we do know that earlier this year there were queues of up to six hours at some of the borders, and that was with far fewer passengers. now, things have speeded up quite significantly since then, the government have said things are well on their way to becoming more automated and there will be more

border force officials in place, but even they are saying to expect delays, particularly when you are checking in. now, there are limitations with this new policy as well, tests are still involved, it is only four people jabbed in the uk, and people have to be fully vaccinated, so people waiting for the second jabs will not be included. this is for england, a week later for included. this is for england, a week laterfor northern included. this is for england, a week later for northern ireland, included. this is for england, a week laterfor northern ireland, so scotland and wales still waiting to hear. but crucially, this isjust what happens one way, coming back to the uk. now, the uk's numbers are rising, how will other countries feel, particularly if they have a lower vaccination right? so plenty of still. caroline, thank you. in australia, authorities are pleading with residents in sydney to obey a "stay at home" order, warning the two—week social care workers on the front line in england are being paid around £7000 less than workers with equivalent skills according to a charity. community integrated care has called the pay gap immoral

and wants the prime minister to meet his promise to fix the social care crisis once and for all. the government says it has provided more than £2 billion for the sector, including infection prevention, control measures and ppe. 0ur social affairs correspondent alison holt reports. # oh, i believe in yesterday... joyful times that make all the difference for residents and staff at landermeads care home in nottinghamshire. covid has made the last year tough, but for lucy, these are the moments that underline why she loves working with people who have dementia. i think i make a big difference every day and everybody that works here makes such a big difference every day. and like all care staff, she has huge responsibilities. i'm notjust in thisjob making tea and wiping bums, like, there's so much more that goes to it. for instance, if someone starts choking halfway through mealtime and you've got the nurse upstairs sorting out tablets, you're the only person there that can save them. she's 25, a team leader, and is paid £10.30 an hour.

many colleagues are on the minimum wage. some days, i've had an awful day, i've got home, i've only made £10.30 an hour, when i could have been at lidl stacking shelves for £12.50 an hour and think about, "is it really worth it?" and today's report shows the pay gap between care staff and otherjobs with equivalent demands. it found care workers in england were paid an average ofjust under £17,700 a year, compared with the 24,600 average pay in the uk for similar roles, like senior teaching assistants and police community support officers. nhs health care assistants are generally paid more. amy works for the charity that commissioned today's report. most of the people she supports, like tony, are funded by local authorities. she's 22 and gets £8.88 an hour. you work long hours, you don't feel appreciated, and then you're underpaid.

it's not going to attract people to the sector, if the sector isn't appealing. it just needs to change. her boss says council fees simply don't cover the real costs of care. if we suddenly announced today that we were going to put salaries up across 6000 people, the charity wouldn't be here in a year or two's time, because we would be making substantial losses. we would have to sell off or shut down other parts of the charity, and when you've got a growing national demand, that's the absolute opposite direction that you should be going on. the government says extra money has been put into the care system and that it will publish plans for reform later this year. alison holt, bbc news. the time is just after 6:15. our top story this evening: a police officer pleads guilty to murdering sarah everard after snatching her from a street in south london. and still to come: he's british she's italian, newly married and preparing to watch the final. we hear from some fans ahead

of sunday's big match. coming up in sports day in the next 15 minutes, the latest from the england camp here at st george's park, two days ahead of their european championships final against italy. the england captain, harry kane, says his team must enjoy these moments of history as they prepare to take on italy in the euro 2020 final on sunday. it's the first time for 55 years that england will line up in a major final and excitement is expected to reach frenzied levels over the next two days. harry kane says they know they have a tough game ahead — but england believe they can win. 0ur sports editor dan roan looks at how preparations are going. he is proud, prolific and

passionate. harry kane isjust he is proud, prolific and passionate. harry kane is just one win away from doing what no other england captain has achieved for more than half a century. today explaining how it felt to be within touching distance of glory. to explaining how it felt to be within touching distance of glory.- touching distance of glory. to be -la in: a touching distance of glory. to be playing a lead — touching distance of glory. to be playing a lead in _ touching distance of glory. to be playing a lead in the _ touching distance of glory. to be playing a lead in the boys - touching distance of glory. to be playing a lead in the boys out. touching distance of glory. to be playing a lead in the boys out on| playing a lead in the boys out on our first european final is going to be at the special. the excitement is there, i'm sure they will be a few nerves, but you have to take these moments, enjoy these moments of history and hopefully we can go one step further and win the whole thing. it's the biggest game in my career so far. doing something special with england will probably always surpass anything at club level because of the long wait for a final, the long wait to win a trophy. final, the long wait to win a troh . " ~ ~ final, the long wait to win a troh ." ., final, the long wait to win a trophy. 1966 world cup winning ca tain trophy. 1966 world cup winning captain bobby _ trophy. 1966 world cup winning captain bobby moore _ trophy. 1966 world cup winning captain bobby moore remains l trophy. 1966 world cup winning l captain bobby moore remains the trophy. 1966 world cup winning - captain bobby moore remains the only man to lead england to such silverware. nous kane could emulate him. how does feel, to be compared with an icon like that?— an icon like that? whenever your name is mentioned _ an icon like that? whenever your name is mentioned in _ an icon like that? whenever your

name is mentioned in that - an icon like that? whenever your - name is mentioned in that company, it gives you confidence. it would be an incredible achievement, these are the opportunities you have to grab with both hands. but the opportunities you have to grab with both hands.— with both hands. but one of football's — with both hands. but one of football's most _ with both hands. but one of football's most successful l with both hands. but one of - football's most successful national team stand in the way. four times world cup winners, italy have been a formidable force at the zeros. it is a real 50 slash _ formidable force at the zeros. it is a real 50 slash 50 _ formidable force at the zeros. it 3 a real 50 slash 50 game. italy have a real 50 slash 50 game. italy have a better history than us of winning tournaments, but i think a lot of us at club level have experience of playing in the biggest games across europe. we believe we can win the game but we also know it will be tough. 0ut tough. out of sorts at the start of the tournament, harry kane has now scored four micro goals and spearheaded a team that has thrilled the nation. how special is it to you to know that this team is helping people through a tough time? it is amazing, and sometimes _ through a tough time? it is amazing, and sometimes as _ through a tough time? it is amazing, and sometimes as footballers - through a tough time? it is amazing, and sometimes as footballers we - and sometimes as footballers we don't take all that in. we see ourselves as doing a job. i think we

have shown we are normal lads. we wear the badge with pride, and everyone should be proud of the way they have represented themselves, obviously their friends and their family across the country. titers; obviously their friends and their family across the country. very best of luck. thank _ family across the country. very best of luck. thank you. _ of luck. thank you. harry _ of luck. thank you. harry kane. - well, with italy unbeaten after 33 matches, expectations are high there too with fans hoping italy can bring home their second euros trophy. 0ur correspondent mark lowen is in rome for us this evening. the italian team are now in their last training session near florence before flying tomorrow morning to london. and the mood here, confident but realistic too, that they're facing a very strong england. and while1966 runs deep and english mindset, italy is not very far behind in terms of the european title. sunday will be a very fierce battle by both sides to end the wait. it's notjust england impatient for football glory. italy's last european

title came 53 years ago. but there's no national trauma here, since world cup victory followed in 1982. playing on both triumphs was goalkeeper dino zoff. how did he feel at that crowning moment? in heaven, he says. in the scramble for silverware, italy is hungry, and, he says, ready. translation: they don't - need my advice, but in any finally you need to stay calm and positive, to believe you can do it. it takes me back to 1968. when you lift the trophy, you feel like a god. you're on cloud nine, and i think italy can do it again. they're a very strong team. and they know it. they've been transformed by roberto mancini since the shame of failing to qualify for the last world cup, giving the team youth and confidence. but with england's home advantage, perhaps the odds aren't in italy's favour.

this time is an underdog. i think england has more to lose. i think of course if italy will lose, maybe we criticise, of course. but i think we have to be grateful for this month of happiness. that is the mood here. joy, as all ages rally behind the flag. football runs through the veins of italians, and italy's success has already inspired generations. yes, england is yearning for the game to come home, but in passion and dedication, they'll face a tough fight. italy is at football fever pitch. they've waited 53 years for european glory. now perhaps it's two days away. mark lowen, bbc news, rome. it's thought sunday's match could be

the most watched tv event ever, breaking the record of 32 million, who watched the 1966 world cup final. preparations are under way for parties in towns and cities across the country, and for some the day will take on even greater significance, asjon kay reports. it could be a honeymoon that's very short—lived at this stage! don't say that, don't say that! david and selene, just married. he's english, she's italian. they'll be watching the final with her family near venice. i think it's going to be the first test of marriage, to be honest. of course, i want italy to win, but even if england wins, it's my adopted country, you know... that's the spirit, that's the spirit! dave, are you going to be equally delighted italy win? well, i'm going to pretend to be, to keep the honeymoon going. but, you know, yeah, we'll see. it was always going to be a huge weekend at the three lions in bristol. but it's bittersweet.

customer paul surridge died during the tournament. they clapped him during the semifinal, and they'll do the same again on sunday. it was his life, that was what he lived for. he lived for england. he was known to his mates as scooter. i hope we do it, notjust for england, but for scooter. it would mean so much to him if he were there. he would love it, absolutely love it. he's up there, watching. we're gonna win. whatever the result, sunday night will be remembered by millions for ever. and for all kinds of reasons. you have a bit of a fixture clash, then, don't you? brad and ellie's baby will be born this weekend. she is nearly two weeks late, and could well be induced on sunday. brad is a massive england fan. do you feel you are

going to have his undivided attention this weekend? probably not, jon, attention this weekend? probably not. jon. if _ attention this weekend? probably not. jon. if i _ attention this weekend? probably not, jon, ifi am _ attention this weekend? probably not, jon, ifi am being _ attention this weekend? probably not, jon, ifi am being honest. . attention this weekend? probably not, jon, ifi am being honest. i. not, jon, if i am being honest. i doubt it quite a bit. but the football won't be on some kind of device in the delivery suite, i think that will be up possibility. if push comes to shove, there is only— if push comes to shove, there is only one — if push comes to shove, there is only one place i will be, which is obviously— only one place i will be, which is obviously watching the game. only jokinn _ obviously watching the game. only jokinn |_ obviously watching the game. only 'okina. ., �* ~' obviously watching the game. only 'okina. ., �* ~ , , ., joking. i don't think pushing and shovin: joking. i don't think pushing and shoving will— joking. i don't think pushing and shoving will be _ joking. i don't think pushing and shoving will be the _ joking. i don't think pushing and shoving will be the right - joking. i don't think pushing and shoving will be the right phrase | joking. i don't think pushing and i shoving will be the right phrase to use. their baby girl will be named bobbie, not after charlton or robson, but after robin, her big brother's choice. southern water has been fined a record £90 million for dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into the sea off the north kent and solent coastline. the company admitted nearly 7000 illegal spills between 2010 and 2015 from 17 sites.

a judge at canterbury crown court said the offences were "committed deliberately". duncan kennedy reports. this is havant near portsmouth, one of more than a dozen beauty spots along the south coast where southern water illegally dumped the raw sewage for nearly six years. for many who live and work along the coast, the pollution was shocking. i came down to check my boat to find that there's raw sewage hanging off the mooring lines, it's wrapped around the propeller, the rudder and festooned along the hull of the boat. absolute disgust. the untreated sewage was poured into the sea right around the south coast from 17 different southern water sites. the environment agency said the company allowed it to be released because it was cheaper than treating it. the environment agency also said there were nearly 7000 illegal discharges of sewage along the coast. today, southern water

were fined £90 million. the judge said the offences showed a shocking disregard for the environment. it's the largest fine ever imposed on a water company. today, southern water apologised. i am deeply, deeply sorry for what has gone before. the judge today put the environment in its rightful place, at the forefront, and i completely agree. by not doing that, not acting in that way, this company has let its customers and the environment down. tonight, the government said the findings in this case were shocking and wholly unacceptable, and said it was right the fine should be paid from southern water's profits, not customers' bills. duncan kennedy, bbc news, in hampshire. the british cyclist mark cavendish has equalled the record for the most stage wins in the tour de france. today's sprint finish took his tally

to 34, level with belgium's eddie max who has held the record since 1975. cavendish, who won his first tour stage 17 years ago, is now aiming to break the record before this year's race concludes in paris in nine days. wimbledon now and matteo berrettini has become the first italian to reach a wimbledon singles final. he will meet the either the number one seed novak djockovic or denis shapovalov in the final on sunday. joe wilson was watching the action. wimbledon travels far — broadcast to some 200 global territories. yeah, but how many singles champions have come from poland or italy? love, as they say around here. well, the italian player is dashing across the bottom of your screen in the first semifinal. that's matteo berrettini. polish fans had seen their man beat roger federer in the previous round, but hubert hurkacz was just hitting and hoping, as berrettini took the second set 6—0.

the match was flashing by hurkacz — he clung on to it. tie—break, third set, his. but the berrettini serve, even if you get it back, it's hard to keep it in. 6—4 in the fourth, and italy in the final on sunday — matteo, don't go to wembley. not every title waits until the weekend. britain's andy lapthorne was triumphant in the quad wheelchair doubles today, with his partner, american david wagner. many championships make up wimbledon, and the outcomes are never certain. but of course there are favourites. novak djokovic, world number one, another semifinal. at the top end of the court, in new territory, denis shapovalov, the canadian, the tenth seed — the future of tennis? well, that's how he reacted when he broke djokovic's serve. the first set went to a tie—break, and it ended like this. double faults can lead to doubts.

yes, the first set, very tight, went to djokovic, and the second set, also very tight, has just gone to djokovic. i am aware of the sport has been going on. we have had some thrilling tennis evening. i think centre court right now would love another one, but that depends on young dennis. it certainly does. thank you. time for a look at the weather here's nick miller. there will be more aces than sunny spells at wimbledon this weekend. today has all been about the cloud, look at this in county durham, and big building clouds in east anglia, bringing some flooding downpours this afternoon. heavy showers have developed in the midlands as well and will slowly push their way north into parts of northern england, scattered downpours in scotland. the intensity will fade eventually tonight but we are still left with a few showers in scotland and northern england, and outbreaks of rain affecting more of south—west england, perhaps south wales, later in the night. it is a mild, muggy

and rather misty night