Susanna Reid was praised by ITV viewers for her “fantastic” work presenting a highly sensitive new ITV crime documentary about a serial rapist.
The GMB anchor fronted the documentary, called The Real Manhunt: The Night Stalker, which followed the 17-year manhunt for a serial rapist known by the moniker.
In the documentary, Susanna spoke to a handful of former investigation officers to try and explore the harrowing Night Stalker case which terrorised the streets of London for years.
The journalist appeared alongside former senior officers Colin Sutton and Simon Morgan as well as Sue Akers, who recall a number of attempts to capture the criminal before they finally caught him.
The Night Stalker case led to a 17-day stakeout and the eventual arrest of Delroy Grant, and it has been deemed “one of the most complex investigations the Met Police has ever had to face”.
(Image: ITV)
After watching Susanna interview the former investigating officers, many viewers were left impressed with the star’s presenting skills.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Fantastic documentary tonight #TheRealManhunt. Well done @susannareid100.”
A second viewer wanted to point out how well they thought Susanna handled such a “sensitive” topic.
They commented: “Just watching this very disturbing programme and your presentation of such a difficult and sensitive account is perfect. Not at all easy.”
(Image: ITV)
As another viewer penned: “Absolutely gripping and well described”.
Someone else said: “@susannareid100 Fantastic interview and documentary.”
While a fifth added: “It was brilliant Suzanna. I really enjoyed the programme.”
Grant was convicted of 22 offences of rape, indecent assault and burglary after his first attack in Shirley, near Croydon in 1992.
He often targeted elderly women who lived alone, and he is suspected of committing hundreds more offences over nearly two decades.
(Image: ITV)
Detective constable Julia Balfour said: “He appeared to wear gloves, he appeared to wear a mask and there was very little evidence and very few lines of inquiry, really, for the police to follow.”
In 2004, the police had failed to find a match for the Night Stalker’s DNA despite having held his DNA for 12 years.
16 attacks were then reported in the span of just 19 days in 2009.
Detective chief inspector Colin Sutton was called in by the Met Police, and officers decided to opt for a stakeout, where they waited for the attacked around his stalking grounds.
(Image: ITV)
Finally, after the 17-day stakeout, a suspect matching the description they were seeking was spotted running towards a silver Vauxhall car, and police were able to stop the driver.
David Matthews, the officer who pulled the car over, said: “I was quite aware that if this was the suspect that he’d be prepared to fight.
“We searched the car and I opened the boot, there were latex gloves, a crowbar, a balaclava in there…a bit of a burglar’s kit.”
After asking David what was going on, the man proceeded to remain silent.
David added: “His eyes glazed over and he never spoke another word”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
