Ex-clergyman guilty of 'sinister' Newton Aycliffe sex abuse
Image caption
Gibson had denied all the charges against him
A retired clergyman has been convicted of "sinister and deliberate" sex abuse in the 1970s and 80s.
Granville
Gibson, 80, abused two men aged 18 and 26 while he was vicar at St
Claire's Church in Newton Aycliffe, Durham Crown Court heard.
He denied the charges but was convicted of two counts of indecent assault after trial. He was cleared of five other charges.
The Church of England issued an "unreserved apology" to the victims.
The
court heard Gibson, who was later made an archdeacon, was guilty of
"sinister and deliberate" sex abuse and a gross breach of trust.
A jury took six hours to find him guilty of indecently assaulting two men who had been working on church property.
Gibson, from Darlington, was found not guilty of one serious sexual offence and four indecent assault charges.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
'Profoundly sorry'
After
the verdicts, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, said: "We
offer an unreserved apology to all the survivors and those affected by
this news.
"We commend the bravery of those who brought these
allegations forward, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this
would have been.
"We are profoundly sorry for the abuse
perpetrated by Mr Gibson and remain committed to doing everything
possible to ensure the wellbeing of children, young people and adults,
who look to us for respect and care.
"Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects."
He added a review would be conducted by the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Group.
Church of England clergyman found guilty of historical sex offences
George Granville Gibson, the former archdeacon of Auckland, is found guilty of the indecent assault of two young men
A senior Church of England clergyman has been found guilty of sex
offences committed against two young men in the 1970s and 80s amid
claims of a church cover-up.
A jury at Durham crown court found George Granville Gibson, 80, the
former archdeacon of Auckland, guilty of two counts of indecent assault
against two men, then aged 18 and 26. He was found not guilty of buggery
and four other charges of indecent assault. Two charges of indecent
assault were dropped.
The court was told that the former bishop of Durham, John Habgood,
had been told about Gibson’s inappropriate behaviour, which occurred
when he was a vicar at St Clare’s Church in Newton Aycliffe. A former
clergyman told the court he “got the push” from the church after raising
concerns about Gibson.
Gibson was found guilty of indecently assaulting that man.
One of those giving evidence against Gibson accused the C of E of a
“massive cover-up”. He said: “I didn’t make a complaint because no one
would believe me, no one would believe that a man of the cloth would do
that. I thought and still think no one would believe me. He was a
vicar.”
The prosecution had set out a case of the senior clergyman’s
“systematic, deliberate” abuse of vulnerable men. Gibson admitted in
court to having had homosexual urges, but said he had only ever been
sexually attracted to men, not young boys.
In 1993, Gibson was promoted to archdeacon of Auckland, effectively number two to the bishop of Durham.
Responding to the verdict, Paul Butler, the present bishop of Durham
and until recently the C of E’s lead bishop on safeguarding, said: “We
offer an unreserved apology to all the survivors and those affected by
this news. We commend the bravery of those who brought these allegations
forward, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have
been.
“ We are profoundly sorry for the abuse perpetrated by Mr Gibson and
remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of
children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care.
Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has
lifelong effects.”
Butler said he had ordered an independent review of the circumstances surrounding the case.
Gibson was released on bail to be sentenced at a later date.
The Bishop of Durham has apologised for abuse committed by Granville Gibson.
A retired clergyman in the Church of England faces a possible prison sentence after being found guilty of historic sex abuse.
The Rev Granville Gibson, aged 80, was found guilty at Durham Crown
Court on two charges of indecent assault. He was cleared of five other
historic sex offences.
A former member of the General Synod and former Archdeacon of Durham,
he will go on the sex offenders' register. He will be sentenced at a
later date.
The offences took place during his time as vicar of St Clare's,
Newton Aycliffe, the court was told.
The court heart that senior
churchmen knew of allegations against him but no action was taken.
Bishop of Durham Paul Butler said: "Following the conviction today of
the Venerable Granville Gibson on two charges of indecent assault, we
offer an unreserved apology to all the survivors and those affected by
this news. We commend the bravery of those who brought these allegations
forward, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have
been.
"We are profoundly sorry for the abuse
perpetrated by Mr Gibson and remain committed to doing everything
possible to ensure the wellbeing of children, young people and adults,
who look to us for respect and care. Abuse is a terrible crime and a
grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects."
Bishop of Durham promises review after vicar found guilty of historic sex offences
Former Archdeacon, George Granville Gibson, was found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting men at Durham Crown Court
George Granville Gibson
The Bishop of Durham has apologised after a former vicar was found guilty of indecently assaulting men at his church in the 1970s and 1980s.
The
Church of England has also said it will investigate accusations that
the then Bishop of Durham, John Habgood, swept concerns about the former
Archdeacon George Granville Gibson “under the carpet” after one of his
victim’s approached him.
Gibson, 80, of Worsley Park in
Darlington was found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting
vulnerable men, at St Clares Church, in Newton Aycliffe , where he was a vicar.
One vulnerable victim was just 18-years-old.
He told the court that Gibson - who went on to become the Archdeacon of Auckland during his distinguished career with the Church - appeared to be friendly and caring.
However within a few weeks the vicar’s tickling and play fighting took a sinister turn and he indecently assaulted the teenager.
“I felt sick, I thought it wasn’t happening I thought it was a mistake,” the victim told jurors during the nine day trial.
Durham
Crown Court heard that there had been a “massive cover up” of Gibson’s
abuse, and that a clergyman who raised concerns with Bishop Habgood was
“forced out of the Church of England”.
Gibson abused his revered
position in the church to target vulnerable men who wouldn’t be believed
if they spoke out against him, the prosecution had said.
The
Right Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham said: “Following the conviction
today of the Venerable Granville Gibson on two charges of indecent
assault, we offer an unreserved apology to all the survivors and those
affected by this news.
“We commend the bravery of those who
brought these allegations forward, acknowledging how difficult and
distressing this would have been.
“We are profoundly sorry for
the abuse perpetrated by Mr Gibson and remain committed to doing
everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of children, young people
and adults, who look to us for respect and care.
“Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects.”
The
Bishop will ask the chair of the diocesan safeguarding management group
to commission a full and independent review of the circumstances
surrounding the case.
Gibson was found not guilty on four further counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery.
Te
former vicar was found not guilty of abusing a third alleged victim who
claimed he was indecently assaulted by Gibson between the ages of 11
and 15.
The jury also found Gibson not guilty of indecently assaulting a teenager at Medomsley Detention Centre.
Gibson appeared unsteady on his feet in the dock but did not show any emotion as the verdicts were delivered.
Judge
Christopher Prince suspended sentencing the 80-year-old until after
guidance is issued from the Court of Appeal in October.
He said: “I don’t want to pass sentencing which would be in conflict with guidance issued by the court of appeal weeks later.”
Gibson has been released on bail until sentencing.
Durham Constabulary arrested the former vicar in his home in April 2014 over the abuse which dates back 39 years.
The
case officer Detective Constable Scott Denham said he hoped that the
convictions would reassure victims of sexual abuse and encourage them to
come forward.
He said: “No matter how long ago the abuse took
place we will carry out inquiries professionally, impartially and
thoroughly, with a view to seeking out all available evidence.
“We will also signpost the victims to any appropriate support and counselling they may need.”
The Bishop of Durham has given an "unreserved apology" to the survivors of sex attacks by a former archdeacon.
Retired clergyman Granville
Gibson, 79, was found guilty after a trial at Durham Crown Court of two
counts of indecent assault, dating back to the late 1970s.
He quickly rose through the clergy in the Diocese of Durham to become Archdeacon of Auckland before his retirement.
A jury cleared him of five other charges.
The Diocese of Durham confirmed a full and independent review of the circumstances surrounding the case had been launched.
In
a statement the Bishop of Durham Rt Rev Paul Butler said: "Following
the conviction today of the Venerable Granville Gibson on two charges of
indecent assault, we offer an unreserved apology to all the survivors
and those affected by this news.
"We commend the bravery of those
who brought these allegations forward, acknowledging how difficult and
distressing this would have been.
"We are profoundly sorry for the
abuse perpetrated by Mr Gibson and remain committed to doing everything
possible to ensure the well-being of children, young people and adults,
who look to us for respect and care.
"Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects."
He added that his prayers were with everyone involved and that anyone with safeguarding concerns should contact officials.
Former County Durham vicar found guilty of historic sex offences
4 August 2016 at 1:08pm
80 year old Granville Gibson pictured on his way into court Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
A retired senior clergyman has been found guilty of two historic sex offences.
After a trial at Durham Crown Court, 80 year old Granville Gibson was
convicted of two counts of indecent assault against young men.
The charges relate to his time as a vicar in County Durham between 30 and 40 years ago.
Gibson was cleared of a further 5 historic sexual offences, including 2 involving a boy.
Gibson will be placed on the sex offenders' register. He will be sentenced at a later date and was released on bail.
The judge told Gibson that all sentencing options will be open to the court, including custody.
Gibson has held a number of senior roles in the church, including Archdeacon of Auckland in the Diocese of Durham.
The court heard he was also a member of the General Synod.
Following the conviction today of the Venerable Granville Gibson on
two charges of indecent assault, we offer an unreserved apology to all
the survivors and those affected by this news.
We commend the bravery of those who brought these allegations
forward, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have
been.
“We are profoundly sorry for the abuse perpetrated by Mr Gibson and
remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of
children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care.
Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has
lifelong effects.
“Our prayers are with everyone concerned and should anyone be
affected by today’s news or want to share concerns please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Contact Line: 0800 689 4704”
– Right Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham
Anybody with concerns can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Contact Line: 0800 689 4704.
Bishop offers 'unreserved apology' to victims of churchman found guilty of sex abuse
THE Bishop of Durham has called for a “full and independent” review
following the conviction of a former senior clergyman for historic sex
assaults.
It follows claims of a “cover up” over the Church of England’s
handling, at the time, of a complaint over the activities of the now
convicted retired cleric Granville Gibson.
APOLOGY: Bishop of Durham Paul Butler
The 80-year-old churchman, who lives in Darlington, is facing a
possible prison sentence after being found guilty of two counts of
indecent assault at Durham Crown Court.
In the wake of those convictions, for incidents dating back to the
late 1970s and early 80s, when Gibson was vicar at St Clare’s Church, Newton Aycliffe, the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, offered a “profound” apology to the victims.
One offence was committed on a teenager carrying out community service
work at the church, while the other conviction involved a young
clergyman in his mid-20s.
During the course of the nine-day trial, the court heard the clergyman
had reported his concerns over Gibson to the then Bishop of Durham, the
Right Reverend Dr John Habgood.
He said he was later told by Bishop Habgood that Gibson had denied the claims and that this was the end of the matter.
Gibson was later promoted under Bishop Habgood’s successor, the Right
Reverend David Jenkins, to become Archdeacon of Auckland, bringing with
it the title of the Venerable Granville Gibson.
Opening the case, last week, prosecutor Paul Cleasby told jurors: “A
clearer example of brushing something under the carpet you could not
wish to find.”
In a statement issued after the guilty verdicts, Bishop Butler said:
“Following the conviction today of the Venerable Granville Gibson on two
charges of indecent assault, we offer an unreserved apology to all the
survivors and those affected by this news.
“We commend the bravery of those who brought these allegations
forward, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have
been.
“We are profoundly sorry for the abuse perpetrated by Mr Gibson and
remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure the wellbeing of
children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care.
“Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects.
“I am asking the Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Group
to commission a full and independent review of all the circumstances
surrounding this case, so that we can learn from what has happened.
“We expect that review to take place and report over the next few months.
“Our prayers are with everyone concerned and, should anyone be
affected by today’s news or want to share concerns, please contact the
Diocesan Safeguarding Contact Line: 0800-689 4704.”
Bishop Butler acts as advocate for children among Anglican bishops and chairs the Church’s National Safeguarding Committee.
The court heard that former Bishop Habgood, who went on to become
Archbishop of York, and later a life peer, was now too unwell to be
called to give evidence in the trial.
A retired clergyman in the Church of England faces a possible prison sentence after being found guilty of historic sex abuse.
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