A FORMER priest who repeatedly sexually abused young boys in his rectory has been jailed for 12 years.

Terrence Grigg, 84, of Grove Street, Norton, ‘identified’ five ‘vulnerable’ young men for sexual abuse, and “used that vulnerability for his own sexual gratification”, the court heard.

The abuse of one victim, who was a member of the church choir, began when he was just ten-years-old, Hull Crown Court was told.

A jury found Grigg, a former rector of St Mary’s Church, Hull, guilty of 14 child sex offences against four victims between the mid 1980s and the early 1990s.

Grigg, was convicted of twelve charges of indecent assault and two charges of buggery.

He was found not guilty of one charge of indecent assault.

Martin Hawes from the CPS said: “Grigg abused his position as a person of authority and standing in the community to exploit his victims for his own sexual gratification.

“This was a profound breach of trust. It is thanks to the courage of Grigg’s victims in reporting his crimes and supporting the investigation and prosecution that he now stands convicted of 14 sexual offences and has been sent to prison for 12 years.

“I hope these convictions are now of some comfort to them.”

Following the conclusion of sentencing on Thursday, Detective Superintendent Matthew Hutchinson said: “The judge’s sentence of 12 years reflects the severity of the offences and the abuse of power Terrence Grigg committed.

“Terrence Grigg held a senior position within the church and used his position of trust to identify young, vulnerable victims that he groomed before sexually abusing.

“I want to praise these victims for reporting what are very traumatic experiences and having the trust and confidence in us to investigate them.

He added: “Although nothing will ever erase these awful crimes from the memories of the victims I hope they will all now feel some sense of comfort that Terrence Grigg has been found guilty and will face 12 years in jail.

“We take crimes of this nature extremely seriously and, as in this case, we have dedicated and skilled officers who will investigate all allegations of this nature. I hope that this encourages other victims to come to us and report their crimes, we will do everything in our power to bring perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.”

This verdict and sentence should serve as a warning to others who have committed historical sexual offences, time is no barrier to justice.”