DUNCAN GRANT AND ALLAN WATERS: BRITISH PEDOPHILES FROM HAMSTEAD AND PORCHESTER RETURNING FROM INDIA

In June 2012, a disturbing case emerged involving two British men with troubling histories of child abuse linked to India. Duncan Grant, aged 68, originally from Hampstead in North West London, and Allan Waters, aged 63 from Porchester in Hampshire, had previously been convicted of heinous crimes committed against vulnerable children in Mumbai. Their return to the United Kingdom has raised serious concerns about ongoing risks to children and the effectiveness of international legal measures.

Grant and Waters were involved in the abuse of street children at a Mumbai orphanage, a shelter that was ostensibly established to provide refuge for homeless boys from impoverished slums. The shelter, known as Anchorage, was set up by Grant in 1995 using a British charity, and it gained notoriety due to its connection with the film 'Slumdog Millionaire,' which depicted the lives of children from the slums of Mumbai. The shelter's purpose was to offer beds and a semblance of safety for these children, but it became a site of grave misconduct.

Both men, who had been convicted in 2006, faced a complex legal journey. Initially, in 2008, they were acquitted due to a lack of evidence, a decision that sparked outrage among child protection advocates. However, this acquittal was later overturned by India’s Supreme Court in March 2011, which found that the street children, having no roof over their heads, had become prey to paedophiles. The court’s ruling marked a significant turning point in India’s approach to prosecuting child sexual abuse cases, especially involving foreign nationals.

Grant and Waters were accused of abusing five boys at the shelter, with allegations including repeated sexual and physical assaults. The Indian authorities also charged William D’Souza, an Indian citizen who managed the shelter, with aiding and abetting the abuse. D’Souza received a three-year sentence, although he had previously been cleared in 2006. The case drew international attention, with organizations like Childline India Foundation describing it as a “real watershed moment” in the fight against child sexual abuse in India. The case underscored the need for stricter laws and better enforcement to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.

In December 2011, Duncan Grant was released from an Indian jail after serving four years for his crimes. He was deported back to the UK, where he was met by Metropolitan Police officers at Heathrow Airport. Following his return, Grant was questioned by Scotland Yard officers and was required to sign the Sex Offenders Register. Despite these legal steps, concerns remain about his potential to re-offend, with a Whitehall source stating, “Our hands are tied. Waters hasn’t committed an offence here and has served his time in India. He will be monitored round the clock to make sure he doesn’t abuse any kids. But it would be fair to say nobody wants him living next door.”

Similarly, Allan Waters, who was also convicted in connection with the abuse, remains in custody but is expected to be released shortly. Authorities continue to monitor such offenders closely, emphasizing the importance of vigilance even after serving time abroad. Scotland Yard has reiterated its commitment to working with international partners to track and supervise offenders to reduce the risk of further abuse.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in managing offenders with international backgrounds and the importance of robust legal frameworks to prevent such heinous crimes. The return of Grant and Waters to the UK has reignited debates about the adequacy of current monitoring systems and the need for comprehensive measures to protect children from predators, regardless of where they have served their sentences.