Hornsey church deacon John Grant jailed for decades of sexual abuse

Image source, Met Police Image caption, The Metropolitan Police believes there may be other victims of John Grant

A church deacon and youth group leader from north London has been sentenced to eight and a half years after grooming and sexually assaulting young men over several decades.

John Grant, 77, of Hornsey, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault, six counts of indecent assault and two counts of causing another person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity between 1970 and 2008.

Judge Emma Deacon KC said Grant carried out "a sustained manipulation of two young men" who he "knew to be vulnerable, and to whom you presented yourself as a benevolent figure, well respected in the community".

Wood Green Crown Court heard he will serve up to half his sentence in prison and the rest on licence.