Shoreham priest jailed

A SHOREHAM priest was jailed for 18 months today (Thursday, May 9) for abusing two schoolboys.
Keith Wilkie Denford has been jailed for 18 monthsKeith Wilkie Denford has been jailed for 18 months
Keith Wilkie Denford has been jailed for 18 months

Keith WIlkie Denford, 78, of Broad Street Mews, had denied four historic counts of indecent assault during a trial at Hove Crown Court.

However, a jury found him guilty of three of the charges that involved two boys who are now adults and who cannot be named for legal reasons. He was cleared of one charge.

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Wilkie Denford was sentenced to 18 months on two counts relating to one boy and nine months on one count involving another. The sentences were to run concurrently meaning a total of 18 months in jail with release likely after half the sentence is served.

Also sentenced was Michael Mytton, 69, of South Road, East Chiltington, who was organist at St John the Evangelist Church in Burgess Hill, while Wilkie Denford was vicar there.

Mytton was given a suspended sentence of nine months for each of the three indecent assault charges for which he was found guilty. The sentences will also run concurrently and will be suspended for two years.

He was cleared of two counts of indecent assault against the same boy and aiding and abetting indecent assault involving a different boy.

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Mytton was also given two years’ supervision under the probation service and must attend the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Group Programme.

Both men, who stood trial together in April, were made subject of a sexual offences prevention order for the purpose of protecting the public or any particular members of the public from serious sexual harm from the defendants.

n For a full court report, see next week’s Shoreham Herald.

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