GRAHAM GREGORY JAILED FOR INDECENT ASSAULTS IN YORK AND BEYOND
In a case that has spanned decades and involved multiple locations, Graham Gregory, a 79-year-old former vicar, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of indecently assaulting a young girl over 40 years ago.The sentencing took place at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, May 26, following a lengthy trial that uncovered disturbing allegations dating back to the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Gregory, who resided on Brockfield Park Drive in Huntington, York, was found guilty in 2014 of two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 13.
Despite this conviction, he was acquitted of two additional counts of similar charges after a retrial held at the same court.
The case was brought to light after a woman came forward in 2012, revealing that she had been abused by Gregory during her childhood between 1969 and 1971.
At that time, she was living in Wandsworth and attending the church where Gregory served as a curate.
According to her account, Gregory had kissed her on several occasions before subjecting her to assault.
Her testimony was supported by a second woman, who also knew Gregory through the same church community, and who disclosed that she, too, had been a victim of abuse as a child.
These revelations prompted police to investigate further, leading to Gregory’s interview on January 26, 2013.
During the interview, Gregory denied the allegations, claiming he did not recognize one of the women involved.
Subsequently, Gregory was summoned to appear before Kingston Crown Court on December 8, 2014, where he faced five counts of indecent assault on a female under 13.
He was ultimately found guilty of two of these charges.
Detective Constable Aaron Vardy, from the Metropolitan Police’s Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, commented on the case, emphasizing the breach of trust involved in Gregory’s actions.
Vardy stated, “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 they can only 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 the police.” Throughout his career, Gregory served as a curate in Southfields, Wandsworth, and held various positions as a vicar in Hastings, Chichester, York, and the Isle of Man.
His criminal case has cast a long shadow over his previous religious roles, and his imprisonment marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to address historic abuse cases within religious communities.
