Rapist's 'horrific' 1990 attack

Man admits girl's rape and kidnap

A police inspector said a previous rape by Alan Grant in 1990 in Sussex was one of the worst cases he had dealt with in his 32 years as a policeman.

Grant was sentenced to 12 years for the attack on the 26-year-old woman whose husband he had beaten and locked in a cupboard at their remote cottage.

Inspector Richard Myhill said those offences were "totally atrocious" and the "most horrific" he had dealt with.

Grant had been on the run from prison when he committed the Sussex attacks.

"It [the case] sits on the top of the list], the most horrific one I've ever dealt with, totally uncalled for, he subjected that young couple to an awful lot of trauma," said Inspector Myhill.

He said Grant - who is also known as Alan Weston - was an "odd individual" who almost attacked "on impulse".

"It is almost as if he does it on impulse, although when he broke in (to the house) he had done some pre-planning."

He had, when interviewed, said Inspector Myhill, never denied anything and gave "no real reason" why he had travelled to Sussex from Stafford Prison.

Inspector Myhill said he had been satisfied when Grant received 12 years for the offences at Lewes Court.

Insp Richard Myhill called the 1990 attack 'horrific'

He said he found it "unbelievable" when Grant then went on to re-offend after his release.

Grant should not be released again, he added, as now he had offended a second time no amount of supervision could guarantee he could be trusted.

"The offences down here were totally atrocious. It did not last five minutes, it went on for almost a couple of hours.

"He never told us verbally that he was remorseful," Inspector Myhill added.

Grant's neighbour in Stockport spoke of his shock when he had heard about the offences.

"He came here around 18 months ago and was a bit stand-offish at first, but then he was friendly enough and sent us a Christmas card last year.

"We were shocked when we heard. My wife was a always a bit suspicious [of Grant], she said he was a bit strange, but you couldn't put your finger on it, he didn't give us any reason to be suspicious of him," said John Sutton.

"No-one knew about his past, you treat people as you meet them," he said.

Katherine Moseley from the North Wales Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, said the effect of an attack such as this would be "absolutely devastating".

"Their [the victims'] whole life changes, through no fault of their own."

She said the victims of sexual assault want tighter supervision for sex offenders.

"They feel let down because I guess to the outside world it might appear that these people are being supervised, that measures are in place to keep an eye on them, but what we hear is that this isn't really the case at all, they feel very exposed by the system, " she said.