This article focuses on the crimes of Delroy Grant, who raped, burgled and assaulted over 100 elderly people from 1992-2009. Elderly people, particularly women were targeted and traumatized for 17 years. Some women later died from the shock of the events, but Grant could not be explicitly charged for these murders. After years of police investigation Grant was eventually convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Grant was extremely careful when committing his crimes so as no to be detected, although he always left his mark at the scene. Grant would spend hours staking out his targeted property. He would then use tools from the victims shed to break into the property, usually through the window. Grant unscrewed all the light-bulbs in the house, so as not to be seen. After stealing jewelry and credit cards Grant would often sexually assault his victims before leaving.
(Delroy Grant)
Why did it take the police so long to find him?
The police investigation was hindered by the lack of resources and manpower to track down Grant, also known as the night stalker. The investigation, ran by Lewisham Police Station, relied on DNA sampling to catch the rapist who had left DNA on his victims.
There were over 21,000 potential suspects at the start of the investigation. The DNA sampling was long and laborious with many potential suspects refusing swabbing. Only 2,000 samples were ever taken.
(Delroy Grant caught on CCTV, but his clothing allowed him to be unrecognizable)
Police Errors:
Delroy Grant could have been captured in 1999 when he became a suspect for the case. But the crucial errors of the police meant he got away. The DNA testing results were mixed up as another mans DNA with the surname Grant was assigned to Delroy Grant. So they ruled Delroy Grant out as the DNA was not a match.
(Colin Sutton)
Catching the Night Stalker:
In 2009, the case was taken over by Detective Colin Sutton. He managed to go up the chain of command within the police to gain more resources. Over 70 undercover officers were hired to watch the streets where Grant commonly attacked. It took 17 nights until they caught Delroy Grant as he was spotted getting into what they believed was the suspect's car.
It took 17 long years of investigating. But as soon as resources were brought in it only took 17 nights of watching for this serial rapist to be arrested. Grant was not caught until police resources were increased. Why did it take so long for the police to act on the seriousness of this case?
(Left - One of Grant's elderly victims)
Discrimination against the elderly victims:
It can't be denied that Press focus more on the "idealized" victim, the picture perfect young woman or endearing child. Old people are often dismissed in society as they have lived most of their life anyway. Did the police adopt this mindset?
Of course I am not suggesting the police did not put in the effort, but it took 17 years for the case to be escalated. Only then were helicopters, infrared cameras and extra men enrolled to solve the case. Obviously the police are on a limited budget and this type of operation would be costly, but I wonder whether this action would have been taken years earlier had the victims been young women?
For nearly two decades the night stalker terrorized frail, vulnerable elderly people. Grant was formerly convicted of 27 offences, despite police fears he could have targeted over 600 victims. The police's lack of evidence and poor data handling meant the night stalker managed to get away with these chilling crimes for far too long.
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