A DISGRACED former vicar and right-hand man of pervert Bishop Peter Ball has been jailed for six and a half years for a series of sex attacks spanning 16 years.

Vickery House, 69, former vicar of Berwick, was sentenced at the Old Bailey yesterday after being found guilty of five counts of indecent assault on males - with one as young as 14 - in the 1970s and 80s.

A hand-written letter, released following the sentencing by investigators, from disgraced Bishop Ball reveals he knew of his colleague's behaviour towards young men as early as 1984.

The letter, which was an apology to a man who had complained of House's behaviour towards him, was dated April 28, 1984.

In it, Ball wrote: "I am devastated to hear about the affair you were subjected to with Vick.

I am sad beyond words and only wish that I had known sooner...I have taken steps which I pray will ensure that nothing like it happens again.

"Please also accept me into your forgiveness, if you can!

"I do hope that all goes well with you. It would be great to see you again, but I doubt if you would want that."

The letter featured in one of the indictments of incident assault over which House was found not guilty.

However, detectives said the "clear inference from the letter is that he at least knew that something allegedly inappropriate had happened involving that young man and House. There is nothing to show that Ball took any other action about the matter."

The Old Bailey also heard that although there was no evidence that they acted together, three of their victims were separately abused by both men.

His conviction follows eight others being found to have used their position in the Diocese of Chichester to commit sexual offences.

This has led to campaigns to claim the church is not fit to police itself.

David Greenwood, of Switalskis Solicitors, which represents some of Ball and House's victims, said: "I am concerned that the church and its allies have allowed Vickery House and former bishop Peter Ball to escape justice for almost two decades.

"The church should no longer be allowed to police itself. The Government is failing the current generation of children by delaying a new law on mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse."

Following the sentencing, House, of Brighton Road, Handcross, was advised by his legal representatives to appeal the convictions which he continues to deny.