Graeme Lawrence Handed Eight Year Sentence for Sexual Abuse

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Former Anglican Dean of Newcastle, Graeme Lawrence, has been sentenced to eight years in gaol for sexual assaulting a teenage boy in the early 1990s.

Lawrence was found guilty in June of sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault on a person under 16.

The 77-year-old will spend at least 4 years and 6 months behind bars for abusing the 15-year-old at the Christ Church Cathedral deanery in 1991.

City of Newcastle stripped Lawrence of his Freeman of the City and Citizen of the Year awards following his conviction.

Image: ABC

Newcastle Anglicans Come To Terms With Arrest Of Former Dean Of Christ Chrurch Cathedral

BY IAN CROUCH

Members of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle are still coming to terms with the arrest of former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Graeme Lawrence.

Officers from Strike Force Arinya went to the 75-year-old's Kotara home on Tuesday and took him to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy in 1991.

Graeme Lawrence served as Dean of the Cathedral for 24 years from 1984 until 2008, but was defrocked in 2012 following a church disciplinary hearing.

In an email sent to members of the church on Tuesday night, Dean Katherine Bowyer acknowledged Lawrence's arrest would raise concerns for parishioners.

A special pastoral meeting has been arranged to support church members.

Former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Graeme Lawrence picture: theherald.com.au

Graeme Lawrence Giving Evidence At The Royal Commission Into Child Sex Abuse In The Anglican Diocese Of Newcastle. Picture ABC