Audiences of the hard-hitting documentary series 24 Hours in Police Custody have expressed profound distress and physical sickness after the programme detailed the appalling crimes of one of Britain's most notorious serial paedophiles. The latest episode, titled Burying Horror, focused on the case of Carson Grimes, a 69-year-old man from Luton, Bedfordshire, who is now serving two separate life sentences for a catalogue of sexual offences against young people.
Decades of Abuse Uncovered
Carson Grimes was initially convicted in October 2021, receiving a minimum jail term of 22 years for grooming and sexually abusing young people at his residence in Luton. Following that conviction, which was featured in an earlier episode of the series, Bedfordshire Police received new reports prompting a fresh investigation. This subsequent inquiry formed the basis of the episode that aired on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, revealing that Grimes had pleaded guilty to an additional 24 charges in April of the previous year, relating to 13 further victims with offences dating back to 1987.
Shocking Revelations and Ongoing Manipulation
The programme disclosed that specialist officers from Bedfordshire Police's rape and serious sexual offences team made a disturbing discovery: Grimes had maintained contact with some of his victims even after his initial imprisonment. Investigators expressed serious concerns that he was potentially manipulating these individuals to prevent them from testifying against him in relation to the new charges. Some victims had encountered Grimes up to three decades ago but only felt able to come forward after his 2021 conviction, highlighting the long-lasting trauma inflicted by his actions.
Viewer Reaction: Heartbreak and Horror
Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with reactions from viewers who described the episode as heartbreaking and horrific. One viewer stated they felt physically sick and labelled Grimes's behaviour as sheer evil. Another commented on the difficulty of watching, writing, Hard watch this week. I'm so glad the victims were listened to. A further post acknowledged the bravery of the victims, saying, Well done to the amazing men who came forward and put that evil man in jail! You are all incredibly brave.
Garden Discovery and Police Statement
The episode also featured a chilling segment where Grimes's former neighbour in Luton contacted police after discovering large bones buried in her back garden, adjacent to the property where the abuse occurred. In a formal statement, Bedfordshire Police outlined Grimes's predatory methods: Grimes preyed upon vulnerable young people by pretending to be a friend to them and inviting them to his house. He then plied them with drink and drugs before subjecting them to horrific sexual abuse.
The sentencing judge emphasised the severity of the case, noting that Grimes had groomed and terrified his victims into acts of deviant abuse. The judge described the victim impact statements as phenomenally brave and heart-rending, concluding that Grimes represented a serious danger to the public. In handing down the life sentence, the judge expressed the hope that he would never see freedom again.
With Grimes not eligible for parole until he is 93 years old, the case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of sexual abuse and the courage required by victims to seek justice. The episode has sparked widespread discussion about the investigative processes involved in such complex historical cases and the vital role of documentary programming in bringing these stories to public attention.
