‘Night Stalker’ defendant in the dock
The jury at Woolwich Crown Court has heard the man accused of a string of rapes and burglaries cross-examined over his claim that he was set up. Katie Razzall gives her account of the proceedings
Sometimes a courtcase comes along that leaves everyone involved speechless. The trial of the so-called “Night Stalker” at Woolwich Crown Court is one such case. Not only are the crimes unspeakable – the rapes, indecent assaults and burglaries of elderly men and women, the oldest 89, over 17 years – but the defendant has proffered unique evidence to explain why it wasn’t him.
“A lie”, was the bald accusation by the prosecution today, about Delroy Grant’s defence, “born out of desperation, a complete inability to face up to what you’ve done… all the burglaries you’ve committed, the old people you’ve raped and attacked”, said Jonathan Laidlaw QC.
Mr Grant says his DNA found at the crime scenes was in fact planted there by his ex-wife, Janet Watson, and her unnamed accomplice. He says she persuaded him to give her vials of his semen and saliva; that she kept them for 15 years before framing him. Yesterday she told the jury it was “ridiculous” and had left her “speechless”.
In the dock, Mr Grant is quietly spoken, very smart, debonair even and certainly respectable-looking.
Today he stuck to his argument, despite having it pointed out to him time and time again by the prosecution it was flawed, “fantasy”, “far-fetched”. His crimes are the “stuff of nightmares” he was told.
He denies all charges.