Man remanded on 'night stalker' sex assault charges

A man appeared in court today accused of sexually assaulting elderly people during a series of burglaries over the past 17 years.

Delroy Grant, 52, was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning by detectives hunting a sex attacker known as the "night stalker".

He appeared at Greenwich Magistrates' Court today, charged with five rapes, six indecent assaults and 11 burglaries between 1992 and this year.

Grant, of Brockley, south east London, was remanded back into police custody and ordered to appear at the same court on Thursday.

Detectives from Operation Minstead swooped on Grant as he returned to his car in Shirley, near Croydon, south London.

The inquiry was set up to catch a man who had targeted women and men aged between 68 and 93 in their homes.

The incidents took place in clusters in south and south east London, including Dulwich, Orpington, Norwood, Downham, Lee, Croydon, West Wickham and Bickley.

Shaven-headed Grant, of Brockley Mews, appeared in the dock flanked by two women custody officers.

Wearing a white police-issue long-sleeved tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm his personal details, giving his middle name as Easton.

Prosecutor Denise Clewes asked for Grant to be remanded back into police custody until Thursday as inquiries continue and further charges may be brought.

She said: "This is a case where the usual reporting restrictions do apply. I ask for three days laid down in police custody.

"Police wish to speak to Grant about a large number of other offences. Further charges are likely.

"There is still evidence that needs to be gathered and officers have not had the time to do this."

Janet Lloyd, representing Grant, made no application for bail.

There was a short adjournment so a point of law could be checked during the 20-minute hearing.

District Judge Angus Hamilton remanded Grant in police custody and ordered him to appear at the same court on Thursday.

There were a large number of police officers and detectives, including some of those who led the inquiry, in court.

The majority of alleged crimes took place during summer months, according to details provided by court staff.

The charges are spread across south London with alleged victims in Shirley, Croydon, Orpington, Beckenham, Bromley and Surrey.

The five rapes are alleged to have taken place in Shirley in October 1992, Surrey in September 1998, Croydon in July 1999, and two offences in Orpington on 5 August, 1999.

The six indecent assaults took place in Beckenham in June 1999, Croydon in July 1999, Shirley in August 1999 and October 2002, Surrey in September 1998, and Addiscombe in July 1999.

Grant was also charged with committing burglaries in Bromley, Shirley, Surrey, Addiscombe, Orpington, West Dulwich and Beckenham between October 1992 and May this year.