A CHILD-abusing vicar has been jailed for more than a year for a string of sex offences on schoolgirls.

Reverend Peter Jarvis abused his position as a school counsellor to prey on young children in a series of "abhorrent actions" according to prosecutors.

Jarvis met with children after school and on weekends in Thatcham, allowed them to smoke and bought them presents to befriend them.

He admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust at Winchester Crown Court yesterday.

The judge also sentenced him for one count of possession of indecent images of children which he admitted at the same court during a re-trial earlier this year.

Adrian Foster, chief crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Reverend Peter Jarvis abused his position of trust and took advantage of his status as a school counsellor to prey on vulnerable young girls, befriend them and sexually abuse them for his own sexual gratification.

"Despite his pastoral responsibility towards them, he had an inappropriate sexual interest in them, encouraged them to participate in sexual acts with others while underage, met them after school and at weekends, allowed them to smoke and bought them gifts.

"It is only due to the great courage of the victims that the despicable behaviour of this man has been exposed."

Jarvis, of Clares Green Road, Spencers Wood, was the rector of Loddon Reach Benefice.

He was suspended from his position following his arrest in 2014 and Bishop of Reading Rt Revd Andrew Proud said he was "shocked and saddened" by the 51-year-old's actions.

A jury acquitted Jarvis of seven counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three count of sexual activity with a child and one of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity at Reading Crown Court in December 2014.

Mr Foster added: “Jarvis denied any sexual wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct, but on February 4 this year, at Winchester Crown Court, on the third day of his trial, he pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust, and possession of indecent images of children.

“The convictions and today’s sentence serve as an important message to people who have been the victim of crimes such as these, or those that know such crimes are being committed, that they should come forward and that time is no barrier to justice.

"The CPS will work closely with partners, as we did with Thames Valley Police in this case, to ensure that robust criminal cases are put before the courts.

“The emotional impact, on the victims and their families, of the abhorrent actions of this man is impossible to quantify. I hope that the convictions and sentence give some small comfort to them. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”

The offences took place between June 2008 and May 2012.

Upon his release from jail, Jarvis will sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.

He was sentenced to 15 months in jail for the two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and nine months for possessing indecent images of children. The sentences will run concurrently.