Key facts
- Journalist Ros Astengo's investigation led to new sexual assault allegations against Allan Grimson.
- Grimson was found guilty of 13 sexual offenses relating to four men.
- Grimson was originally jailed for life in 2001 for the murders of two young men.
- The new charges could significantly extend Grimson's time in prison.
- Grimson's defense suggested the charges were a tactic to prevent his parole.
Journalist Ros Astengo's investigation into Allan Grimson, a suspected serial killer nearing release after serving over 20 years, has resulted in Grimson being found guilty of 13 sexual offenses. Astengo, who usually covers politics and social issues in Gibraltar, felt compelled to investigate due to public interest and concerns about Grimson reoffending.
Her work prompted four men to come forward with allegations of sexual assaults by Grimson dating back to the late 1990s, when he was a Royal Navy petty officer. Grimson was originally jailed for life in 2001 for the murders of Nicholas Wright, 18, and Sion Jenkins, 20, in Portsmouth. At the time of his sentencing, Grimson had admitted to sexual offenses with four other individuals, but these were not pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service due to his impending long sentence for murder.
While in prison, Grimson maintained good behavior, and in November 2020, the Parole Board recommended his move to an open prison. Around this time, Astengo was also investigating the 1986 disappearance of sailor Simon Parkes in Gibraltar, a case for which Grimson has long been a suspect. Astengo was moved by the plight of Parkes's elderly parents and promised to write a book about their son's case.
Astengo's research into Grimson revealed his admissions regarding assaults on four boys and young men, which had not led to charges. Alarmed by Grimson's impending release, Astengo tracked down one of the alleged victims. Following Astengo's encouragement, the man filed a fresh complaint. The child sexual abuse review panel agreed to re-examine the case, leading detectives to interview the man and locate the other three alleged victims. In February 2025, Grimson was charged with these attacks.
During the trial, Grimson's defense argued that the charges were unfair, having not been pursued a quarter-century ago, and suggested they were a tactic to prevent his parole. They also criticized Astengo, implying her motivation was financial gain from her upcoming book. Prosecutor John Price KC urged the jury to disregard these claims, praising the work of diligent journalists. Astengo stated her motivation was justice and preventing a serial offender's release, noting she funded her own travel for the investigation.
On Monday, a jury at Winchester crown court found Grimson guilty of the 13 sexual offenses. Judge Dugdale described Grimson as an extremely dangerous man in the 1990s and requested reports to assess his current risk level. Victim personal statements were also ordered. Grimson is scheduled to be sentenced in November.