Bogus bishop jailed for sex attacks

A BOGUS bishop who indulged in "foul perversions" with two 14- year-old boys was jailed for 15 years at the Old Bailey yesterday. Roger Gleaves, 65, who called himself the Bishop of Medway, was "a more than ordinary danger to children", which was why a long sentence was required, said Judge Giles Forrester.

Richard Becker, 58, another paedophile, who was HIV positive when he attacked one of the boys also abused by Gleaves, was jailed for six years in February.

Sentencing Gleaves yesterday, the judge said: "I cannot tell what harm or damage you may have done to either or both of these boys. But I am sure each was deliberately targeted by you." He said both boys were particularly vulnerable, one with learning difficulties, the other with a psychiatric condition. The judge said Gleaves deliberately set out to gain the confidence of the boys and their families so that he was trusted by them.

The court heard Gleaves had previous convictions for offences against boys. The judge said: "I have to consider the question of public safety and in particular the safety of children. That is why the sentence must be a long one."

Gleaves, of Northumberland Park, Tottenham, north London, was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, incitement of one boy to rape another, and three counts of indecent assault. He was cleared of a further rape charge. The offences took place in the final six months of 1996 and in the following January, when the boys were 14.