The Fox, a serial sex attacker whose real name is Malcolm Fairley, instilled a climate of fear across towns in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire during the summer months. For several months, residents were afraid to leave their homes as Fairley hid out in people’s residences before committing heinous acts of rape. His methods were particularly brutal; he not only attacked women but also involved their spouses, often tying them up and forcing them to witness the assaults.

Fairley's assaults were marked by a staggering level of violence and depravity, with reports indicating he carried out 81 offenses over this period. Couples were targeted jointly, resulting in a psychological terror that left deep scars on the victims. Many of the victims felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness, unable to intervene while their loved ones were subjected to these horrifying crimes. The communities affected have likely been forever changed by the dark shadow cast by this criminal.

The investigation came to a conclusion when law enforcement caught Fairley, whose actions had prompted a dedicated task force to pursue justice for the victims. The detective in charge of the case revealed that he was deeply affected by the details of Fairley's crimes and firmly believed that Fairley should serve life imprisonment for his actions, which reflects the broader societal response to such extreme violence against individuals in their own homes.