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Ex-canon of Carlisle Cathedral Ronald Johns jailed | Ex-canon of Carlisle Cathedral Ronald Johns jailed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A former canon of Carlisle Cathedral, convicted of a series of child sex offences dating back almost 30 years, has been jailed for four years. | A former canon of Carlisle Cathedral, convicted of a series of child sex offences dating back almost 30 years, has been jailed for four years. |
Ronald Johns, who was also a vicar in Borrowdale and Caldbeck in Cumbria, was found guilty of sex offences against three boys between 1983 and 1991. | Ronald Johns, who was also a vicar in Borrowdale and Caldbeck in Cumbria, was found guilty of sex offences against three boys between 1983 and 1991. |
He admitted 10 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency. | He admitted 10 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency. |
The 75-year-old, of Kings Road, Coltishall, Norfolk, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday. | The 75-year-old, of Kings Road, Coltishall, Norfolk, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday. |
The court heard that between 1983 and 1991 while serving as a vicar in Borrowdale and then as a Canon at Carlisle Cathedral, Johns had used "classic grooming techniques" to abuse three boys aged between 14 and 17. | The court heard that between 1983 and 1991 while serving as a vicar in Borrowdale and then as a Canon at Carlisle Cathedral, Johns had used "classic grooming techniques" to abuse three boys aged between 14 and 17. |
In each case the victims described Johns as a "trusted family friend" - one saying he was a "father figure". | In each case the victims described Johns as a "trusted family friend" - one saying he was a "father figure". |
In all cases they said they had struggled to come to terms with the abuse. Two of them told police they considered suicide. | In all cases they said they had struggled to come to terms with the abuse. Two of them told police they considered suicide. |
Johns admitted two charges of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency in relation to one victim. | Johns admitted two charges of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency in relation to one victim. |
Official complaint | Official complaint |
He also pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of gross indecency each against two other teenagers. | He also pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of gross indecency each against two other teenagers. |
Cumbria Police praised the victims who had come forward and said Johns had "abused his position of trust to commit heinous crimes against children." | Cumbria Police praised the victims who had come forward and said Johns had "abused his position of trust to commit heinous crimes against children." |
A spokesperson for the diocese said the sentence was "just and fair". | A spokesperson for the diocese said the sentence was "just and fair". |
The court was told Johns was demoted by his bishop instead of police being informed of the allegations made by his first victim. | The court was told Johns was demoted by his bishop instead of police being informed of the allegations made by his first victim. |
The victim had made an official complaint to the church in 1993. By that time Johns was a canon at Carlisle Cathedral. | The victim had made an official complaint to the church in 1993. By that time Johns was a canon at Carlisle Cathedral. |
Johns made admissions to the then bishop, the late Rt Rev Ian Harland, who felt the appropriate sanction was to move him to a church in Caldbeck. | Johns made admissions to the then bishop, the late Rt Rev Ian Harland, who felt the appropriate sanction was to move him to a church in Caldbeck. |
The matter only came to the attention of police this year when another victim complained he had been abused by Johns. | The matter only came to the attention of police this year when another victim complained he had been abused by Johns. |
Police checked records at the cathedral, which detailed the 1993 complaint dealt with by Bishop Harland, who died three years ago. | Police checked records at the cathedral, which detailed the 1993 complaint dealt with by Bishop Harland, who died three years ago. |
Sentencing him, Mr Justice Singh said: "As you accept, you have ruined your life and brought disgrace upon yourself." | Sentencing him, Mr Justice Singh said: "As you accept, you have ruined your life and brought disgrace upon yourself." |
He said his pre-sentence report had summarised his behaviour as "manipulative" and "predatory". | He said his pre-sentence report had summarised his behaviour as "manipulative" and "predatory". |
John Morgans, defending, said Johns had gained no advantage by the police not being initially informed. | John Morgans, defending, said Johns had gained no advantage by the police not being initially informed. |
He said the bishop's decision at the time had effectively worked as there had been no repetition of his sexual indiscretions. | He said the bishop's decision at the time had effectively worked as there had been no repetition of his sexual indiscretions. |
The court heard Johns gained his victims' trust and confidence before he give them alcohol and abused them while watching pornographic videos. | The court heard Johns gained his victims' trust and confidence before he give them alcohol and abused them while watching pornographic videos. |
On one occasion he took a church service at Carlisle Cathedral and then removed his robes to visit a shop and rent two porn videos. | On one occasion he took a church service at Carlisle Cathedral and then removed his robes to visit a shop and rent two porn videos. |
'Horror and betrayal' | 'Horror and betrayal' |
In victim impact statements, the 1993 complainant said he had undergone lengthy counselling after a failed marriage and suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts. | In victim impact statements, the 1993 complainant said he had undergone lengthy counselling after a failed marriage and suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts. |
Another victim was prone to anxiety and agoraphobia, while the third experienced flashbacks and night terrors. | Another victim was prone to anxiety and agoraphobia, while the third experienced flashbacks and night terrors. |
The court heard from the archdeacon of West Cumberland, Richard Pratt, that the congregations affected had expressed their "shock, horror and betrayal" at the situation. | The court heard from the archdeacon of West Cumberland, Richard Pratt, that the congregations affected had expressed their "shock, horror and betrayal" at the situation. |
The current bishop of Carlisle, the Right Rev James Newcome, said: "We unreservedly condemn this and any abuse." | The current bishop of Carlisle, the Right Rev James Newcome, said: "We unreservedly condemn this and any abuse." |
He said the Church's "thoughts and prayers" were with the victims and their families. | He said the Church's "thoughts and prayers" were with the victims and their families. |
"We apologise again to them for failing to take the action we should have done when Ronald Johns's crimes first came to light," he said. | "We apologise again to them for failing to take the action we should have done when Ronald Johns's crimes first came to light," he said. |