JONATHAN GRAVES, EASTBOURNE PRIEST, SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

In September 2017, Jonathan Graves, known as Father Jonathan, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for multiple sexual and cruelty offences committed against two boys in East Sussex during his time as an Anglican priest.

Graves, 60, of Jervis Avenue, Eastbourne, was serving as a Church of England priest at the time of the offences. The sentencing took place at Brighton Crown Court after he was convicted the previous Thursday at Hove Crown Court, following a nine-day trial.

He was found guilty of 12 counts related to sexual offences against two boys known to him over 15 years ago while he was a priest at St Luke’s Church in Stone Cross, Diocese of Chichester.

The court sentenced Graves to eight years for two indecent assault offences, two indecency offences, and two cruelty offences against one boy. Additionally, he received a four-year sentence for three indecent assault offences and three cruelty offences against the second boy.

As part of his punishment, Graves was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will remain in effect until further notice, significantly restricting his access to children. He will also be registered as a sex offender for life.

A jury at Hove Crown Court convicted Graves of 12 counts, including indecent assault, gross indecency, and child cruelty, related to two boys he knew while serving as a Church of England priest. He was acquitted of five other counts, which included four allegations involving the boys and an incident in 2002 where he was accused of indecently assaulting a 50-year-old woman.

Jonathan Graves of Jervis Avenue, Eastbourne, was released on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on a subsequent date.