A former Isle of Man vicar has been jailed for indecently assaulting a young girl more than 40 years ago.

Scotland Yard is urging anybody else who may have been a victim to come forward.

Graham Gregory, 79, has been jailed for three years for two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 13.

He's been a vicar in the Isle of Man as well as London, Hastings, Chichester and York. Anyone who has been a victim of his abuse is being asked to contact their local police force.

Detectives were contacted by a woman in 2012 who claimed she had been abused as a child between 1969 and 1971 when she lived in Wandsworth and attended the church where Gregory was curate. She told police he kissed her on several occasions before assaulting her. A second woman, who also knew Gregory from the same church, informed officers she too had been abused as a child.

Detective Constable Aaron Vardy, of the Met’s Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: 'Gregory abused his position as a figure of trust and authority. It takes a lot of courage to report this type of crime and in some cases victims feel that they are only able to come forward years after the offence. This conviction highlights that regardless of how much time has passed, we remain committed to bringing offenders before the courts.

'I would urge anyone else who may have been a victim of Gregory’s abuse to contact with the police.'


Got a story? Contact Joanne on 340000 or email newsdesk@manx.net

twitter @jonewsiom