Witness statements reveal impact of Delroy Grant's monstrous crimes (From News Shopper)

Witness statements reveal impact of Night Stalker Delroy Grant's monstrous crimes

2:45pm Friday 25th March 2011 in Night Stalker

Before sentencing the court heard statements from Grant's victims and their families about the impact his crimes had on them.

An 85-year-old woman, referred to as Miss J for legal reasons, entered the witness box to give evidence.

Jonathan Laidlaw, prosecuting, read out part of her impact statement to the court.

In the statement she said: “I feel a huge amount of resentment and wonder how the suspect chose me.

“I often think to myself why me or why any of the other victims”.

Miss J, who was 77 at the time of the attack, added: “I have found that time is not a great healer.

I don’t think it gets any easier.

“I consider the last 12 months the most turbulent of my life. Time still doesn’t erase the memories of what happened.”

The court heard how the woman sold her home and moved in to a flat after the incident.

Miss J told the court: “If I go out I like to be home before dark. I do a lot of locking and bolting and taking precautions. It has changed my life.”

An impact statement of another victim, referred to as Mrs G, was also read out to the court.

The woman, who was 82 when she was burgled and raped, has since died.

She said: “This is an incident I try to forget about but I can’t.

“I still can’t live at my home because I thought the man would come back. I don’t feel safe there. I thought my house was pretty secure but he still managed to get in.”

The court heard Mrs G moved in with her son but would often have nightmares and shout out ‘no, no don’t. I don’t like it’.

Mrs G began to shake after the incident and was told she may have Parkinsons disease.

In the statement she said: “I believe it was brought on by this incident. I didn’t shake before this incident.”