A Wokingham vicar who served as a school chaplain has pleaded guilty to child sex offences.
Last week, the Revd Peter Jarvis – who had been suspended from his role as a priest of Loddon Reach Benefice following his arrest in 2013 – appeared at Winchester Crown Court where he admitted two offences of causing or inciting sexual activity with girls aged 13 to 17 and to possessing an indecent image of a child.
He will be sentenced on Friday, April 1.
In December 2014, a jury at Reading Crown Court cleared Mr Jarvis of 11 sexual offences against children, but could not reach a verdict on a 12th case. This was called on for a retrial and, in the process, two further offences were heard.
Previously, Mr Jarvis had pleaded not guilty to seven counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual activity with a child and a further count of attempt to encourage a child to engage in sexual activity.
Mr Jarvis joined the Loddon Reach benefice as Team Rector designate in March 2013. The benefice covers churches in Shinfield, Spencers Wood, Swallowfield and Beech Hill.
He had previously served in a High Wycombe church as a youth worker and had been chaplain to the John Madejski Academy school in Whitley. The case does not relate to his work at the school.
In a statement released this week the Team Vicar of Loddon Reach Benefice, The Revd Paul Willis, said: “Like everyone else, we are shocked and saddened by the news that the Revd Peter Jarvis has been convicted of serious sexual offences.
“The offences took place before Mr Jarvis moved to this parish. He stood down from his ministry here as soon as the allegations came to light.
“We take the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults extremely seriously at Loddon Reach and will continue to ensure that we follow best practice according to diocesan guidelines.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this case.”
Speaking for the Diocese of Oxford, the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, said: “These are serious sexual offences and we are profoundly shocked and saddened.
“The Diocese of Oxford takes safeguarding, especially of children, young people, and vulnerable adults very seriously. We expect the highest standards of conduct from all of our clergy.
“When this case came to light we immediately contacted the statutory authorities. Since then we have worked closely with the police and local authority colleagues and will continue to do so until Mr Jarvis’s sentencing next month.
“As soon as the allegations were made, Mr Jarvis stood down from his duties, as is our policy. Clearly in light of the guilty plea we will now be initiating the Church of England’s disciplinary process.
“This case has been protracted and distressing for everyone affected. All those involved are in my thoughts and prayers.”
