John Grant, a 77-year-old former senior church leader from Muswell Hill, has been convicted of multiple sexual offences against vulnerable young men over a 40-year period. Grant, of Colney Hatch Lane in Hornsey, was found guilty at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, July 13, of three counts of sexual assault, six counts of indecent assault, and two counts of causing another person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. He is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on September 11.
Abuse spanning four decades
The offences involved four victims and occurred between 1970 and 2012. Grant held positions as a church deacon and youth group leader, roles he exploited to groom and assault young men. The Metropolitan Police became aware of Grant in 2023 after one victim reported being repeatedly sexually assaulted over 30 years. The abuse began when the victim lived in a shared house with Grant, who pressured him into accepting massages that involved sexual touching. The victim repeatedly declined but felt coerced. The assaults continued until 1998, resumed in 1999, and lasted until 2012.
Following the initial report, detectives conducted extensive inquiries across churches and youth groups, identifying additional victims who described similar patterns of grooming through coercive control. The Met Police believes more victims have yet to come forward.
Grant's extensive church involvement
Grant was a member of Broomsknoll Church of Scotland in Airdrie between 1965 and 1970 and Ward Green Baptist Church in Barnsley from 1973 to 1984. His most senior role was Moderator of the London Baptist Association at Muswell Hill Baptist Church, where he acted as a moderator for other churches in the district and preached locally, potentially bringing him into contact with more victims.
Detective Constable Liam Levy, who led the investigation, 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. 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 across more than four decades. 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.”
Appeal for further information
Detectives urge anyone with information or who has been a victim of Grant to contact police on 101 quoting CAD3277/08JUL26. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111. For confidential support, the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line offers free phone and online chat for anyone aged 16 and over in England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.
