Editing Fritz Haarmann (section)

===Relationship with Hans Grans===
In his subsequent confessions to police, Grans stated that, although his sexual orientation was heterosexual, he himself initiated contact with Haarmann, with the intention of prostituting himself, having heard of Haarmann's homosexuality through acquaintances he had established in Hanover.<ref>Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 41</ref> Haarmann himself stated following his arrest that he viewed Grans as being "like a son" to him, adding that he "pulled him [Grans] out of the ditch and tried to make sure he didn't go to the dogs."<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 42">Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 42</ref>

Shortly after their initial acquaintance, Haarmann invited the youth to move into his apartment, and Grans became Haarmann's lover and criminal accomplice.<ref>[http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/history/haarman/1b.html trutv.com].</ref> According to Haarmann, although he was smitten with Grans,<ref name="Monsters of Weimar p. 42"/> he gradually became aware that the youth manipulated and, occasionally, mocked him. On several occasions, Grans was evicted after heated arguments, only for Haarmann to plead with him to come back. Despite the manipulation Haarmann endured at the hands of his accomplice, he later claimed to tolerate the capitulation as he craved Grans' companionship and affection,<ref name="news.google.com">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19241219&id=yepPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2918,5611359|title=The Evening Independent |via= Google News Archive Search|access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref> adding: "I had to have someone I meant everything to."<ref>Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 45</ref>

Haarmann served the nine-month prison sentence imposed in 1918 for sexual assault and battery between March and December 1920. Upon his release, he again regained the trust of the police and again became an informer.<ref name=Perth /> Haarmann initially resided in a hotel, before he and Grans lodged with a middle-class family.<ref name=RealLife />

Through criminal contacts, Haarmann became aware of a vacant ground-floor apartment located at 8 Neue Straße. The apartment was located in a densely populated, old house located alongside the Leine River. Haarmann secured a letting agreement with the landlady, ostensibly to use the property for storage purposes. He and Grans moved into 8 Neue Straße on 1 July 1921.<ref>Monsters of Weimar {{ISBN|1-897743-10-6}} p. 47</ref>