Jailed paedophile given five more life sentences

A jailed child sex offender has been given an extra five life sentences after 13 more victims emerged following media coverage of his case.

Former London bus driver Carson Grimes, 69, who lived in Luton, had admitted 24 further offences including rape and indecent assault.

In 2021, Grimes was given two life sentences after being convicted of 36 serious sexual offences relating to nine victims after a trial.

Judge Allison Hunter imposed the additional life sentences during a hearing at Luton Crown Court.

In 2021, a judge had said Grimes must spend a minimum of 22 years in jail before parole could be considered.

At the latest court appearance on Tuesday, Judge Hunter said Grimes should now spend 22 years and nine months in prison before parole could be considered.

She told Grimes: "I hope you never see the light of freedom again."

The court heard how Grimes, of Dumfries Street, Luton, had admitted sex offences against 13 more victims - between 1987 and 2001.

Detectives said media reporting, including an episode of the Channel 4 series 24 Hours in Police Custody, led to more people making allegations following the original trial.

Victims of sex offences cannot be identified in media reports - unless they give permission.

Judge Hunter said Grimes had systematically abused the "most vulnerable" children.

She said the male victims featuring in the latest case had been boys aged between 11 and 16 when Grimes abused them.

"You variously groomed and terrified them into submission," she said.

"None of your victims had the remotest idea what they were getting into.

"I am more than satisfied that you continue to pose the gravest of danger to children and young people of both sexes."

The court heard how Grimes "created a frightening legend", showing his victims weapons and telling them he had been a commando.

Alesdair King, for Grimes, said his client had health problems, adding it was likely he spend the rest of his life in jail.

He said Grimes had admitted the latest offences.

The original trial in 2021 heard how Grimes abused children in the 1980s when he lived in London, and his behaviour escalated when he moved to Bedfordshire and continued until about 2002.

Jurors found him guilty of 19 counts of rape, 11 of indecent assault and six of indecency with a child.

Grimes pleaded guilty to the 24 new charges at Luton Crown Court in April.

Bedfordshire Police then described Grimes - also known as Carson Phillips - as one of "Bedfordshire's most prolific sex offenders" and one of his victims described his home as a "horror house".

Det Insp Clare Gilbert described the paedophile as an "horrific predator".

She had said he had said he had an "elevated sense of self-worth" and believed he could "prey on vulnerable children and get away with it".

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