Abusive church deacon may have more victims - Met

A "prolific" church deacon and youth group leader in north London who groomed and sexually assaulted young men over five decades has been convicted.

John Grant was convicted of three counts of sexual assault and six counts of indecent assault between 1970 and 2012 at Wood Green Court on Monday.

Police believe the 77-year-old may have more victims due to "his lengthy association with the church as an influential member at multiple religious institutions".

Det Con Liam Levy said: "This is a deeply distressing case involving a number of non-recent sexual offences and I would like to recognise the courage and bravery shown by the victim-survivors in coming forward and putting their trust in us."

Grant, from Hornsey in north London, was also found guilty of two counts of causing another person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. The 11 offences related to four victims.

Grant carried out his assaults at Muswell Hill Baptist Church, where he held his most senior role as moderator for the London Baptist Association, and several youth groups in north London, as well as Billingham Baptist Church in Stockton-on-Tees, the Met Police said.

The London Baptist Association said it was "deeply saddened" by the conviction, adding they "unreservedly condemn his actions and stand alongside those whose lives have been profoundly affected by them".

The force first became aware of Grant's offending in 2023 after a victim reported that he had been repeatedly sexually assaulted over a 30-year period, starting in 1994.

Police subsequently found other churches and youth groups connected to Grant.

Across all of the complainants, there was a similar motive displayed by Grant where he groomed vulnerable young men through coercive control and behaviour before sexually assaulting them, the Met said.

Det Con Levy added: "This conviction would not have been possible without their accounts that were provided in the early stages of the investigation, which helped identify the scale of Grant's prolific offending.

"The victim-survivors were vulnerable young men who put their trust in Grant through his church association and it is devastating they could be taken advantage of in this way."

The Met urged victims to come forward, and said Grant was also a member of the Broomsknoll Church of Scotland in Airdrie between 1965 and 1970 and a member of Ward Green Baptist Church in Barnsley between 1973 and 1984.

In a statement, the London Baptist Association said the conviction "has brought profound sadness across our association" as Grant had been "a prominent and influential figure in the life of the London Baptist Association".

They added: "This case is a sobering reminder that positions of authority within our churches can be misused.

"The London Baptist Association will continue to cooperate fully with the Metropolitan Police should any further assistance be requested.

"We will also reflect carefully on this case and remain committed to learning any lessons that will strengthen safeguarding across our association and support our churches in maintaining the highest possible standards of safeguarding."

Grant is due to be sentenced on 11 September.

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