One victim described a “sustained campaign of grooming” and told Grant at Wood Green Crown Court: “You created an environment where I felt emotionally and spiritually cornered.”
He said that, although Grant had not taken away his faith in God, he had destroyed his trust in the church.
“You weaponised your church titles, using the respectability of the church as both a hunting ground and a shield,” he said.
The victim added that the abuse had had a “devastating” impact on his mental health, leaving him with long-term depression and anxiety.
During sentencing, Judge Deacon also commended Det Con Liam Levy for his work on the investigation, which he began as a trainee officer, saying he had made “a truly valuable contribution” to the case.
She said this included identifying one victim who had been “understandably reluctant to engage with police”, adding that his support had been “pivotal” in maintaining the trust of the victims.
Grant was also banned from serving in any paid or unpaid administrative role within a church organisation. He was made subject to a restraining order relating to one of the victims and will remain on the sex offenders register.
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