Traumatised survivors of one of Britain's most notorious serial paedophiles have been documented preparing to face their abuser in court, nearly four decades after he groomed and sexually assaulted them. Carson Grimes, now 69 years old, was originally jailed for a minimum of 22 years in October 2021 for a horrific campaign of abuse targeting nine young individuals at his home in Luton, Bedfordshire.
A Decades-Long Pattern of Predatory Behaviour
Grimes systematically preyed upon vulnerable young people by presenting himself as a friendly figure, inviting them to his residence where he would ply them with alcohol and cannabis before subjecting them to sexual abuse. His manipulative tactics included expecting sexual acts in return for the substances he provided, as well as sexually assaulting victims while they were unconscious or asleep.
New Victims Emerge After Initial Sentencing
Following Grimes's initial sentencing hearing, which was featured in an episode of Channel 4's documentary series 24 Hours in Police Custody, several additional victims courageously came forward over subsequent months. This revealed the true scale of his criminality was far more extensive than originally understood. In June 2025, the paedophile received another life sentence at Luton Crown Court after pleading guilty to 24 new charges relating to 13 victims, with offences dating back to 1987.
Victims' Emotional Preparations for Court
A new documentary episode follows Grimes's victims as they prepare to attend this second sentencing hearing, capturing their complex emotional journeys. Some survivors decided to attend court, while others felt unable to face their abuser after decades of trauma.
One victim named Michael expressed his determination while sitting in a hotel room before the hearing: 'I just want him to know that he's not a part of my life anymore. He's not at the back of my mind. I want to look him in the eye, yeah, just to let him know that he hasn't got away with it.'
Another survivor called Patrick shared his nervousness about the encounter: 'Bit nervous because obviously it is 38 years since I've seen this predator. Obviously you never forget that, what's happened to you. It's always going to be there. But for me, it's to stop blaming myself really. I hid for 38 years. But I'm not doing it no more.'
Police Investigation Uncovers Ongoing Manipulation
The documentary provides insight into the fresh investigation conducted by Bedfordshire Police's rape and serious sexual offences team. Detectives discovered that despite being imprisoned, Grimes maintained contact with some victims and was suspected of attempting to manipulate them from prison to prevent them from testifying against him.
Detective Inspector Clare Gilbert, who led the investigation, described Grimes's methods: 'Over the years it was a tried and tested MO. He had been drugging these boys. How had he not caused one serious harm? He is a classic Jimmy Savile. Everyone loved him but he was abusing kids under everyone's nose. No one would have suspected it. I imagine that there are hundreds of victims.'
Disturbing Garden Investigation
The episode reveals a particularly disturbing development when Grimes's former neighbour contacted emergency services after discovering large bones in her garden, adjacent to the property where he had drugged victims. Police officers including DI Gilbert, Sergeant Jason Keir, and Detective Sergeant Billie Scholten visited the scene to investigate potential burial sites.
DI Gilbert observed the area, noting: 'That rubble could also be some kind of burial site. If I was to bury a human corpse I think that's what I would do. I wouldn't just put soil on the top, I think I would put bricks and rubble because you don't want it to come to the surface do you?' Although a thorough dig was conducted, no bones were ultimately discovered, leading to that element of the case being closed.
Profound Impact on Victims' Lives
Victim impact statements read during the second sentencing hearing revealed the devastating long-term consequences of Grimes's abuse. One survivor described how watching the original documentary episode triggered emotional memories and gave them the courage to seek justice after decades of silence.
The victim detailed how the abuse had affected every aspect of their life since adolescence, leading to intrusive thoughts, self-medication, multiple suicide attempts requiring hospitalisation, ruined relationships, and a decade-long separation from their child. They explained: 'I go on a complete downer every few months and my relationships have been ruined and have failed because of him.'
Police Response and Judicial Condemnation
Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown, head of Bedfordshire Police's crime and public protection unit, emphasised the significance of the case: 'Without a doubt, this was one of the largest child sexual abuse and exploitation cases that we have ever dealt with, and Grimes is one of the most depraved predators that we have come across.'
She highlighted how Grimes had targeted vulnerable young people, pretending friendship before subjecting them to horrific abuse that caused lifelong trauma. The judge during sentencing expressed hope that Grimes would never experience freedom again, condemning his grooming and terrorisation of victims.
Grimes is now serving a minimum of 22 years and nine months in prison before being considered for parole, following his second life sentence. The documentary episode, titled 24 Hours in Police Custody: Burying Horror, provides a harrowing insight into both the investigative process and the enduring impact of childhood sexual abuse on survivors.
