A former vicar, who indecently assaulted children who attended churches in west London, has been jailed for a total of seven years and two months.

John Charles Hibberd, 77, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault against three young boys - the oldest allegation dating back to 1967 - and was jailed at Kingston Crown Court on Friday (June 19), following a trial in May at the same court, according to a Met Police statement.

Hibberd was a vicar and had worked for the Church of England in west London for many years. He retired to the Isle of Wight over 15 years ago and worked in churches and voluntary organisations on the island.

In February 2013, one victim contacted police to make a historical allegation of sexual abuse by Hibberd.

The victim lived in Chiswick with his family. He was taken to a local church; St James, Gunnesbury in Chiswick, by his mother from the ages of seven to eight, and attended until he was 12.

He became an alter boy and Hibberd targeted him for abuse, police said.

During the investigation, two other victims were identified and contacted by the police.

Another male victim disclosed that he attended the choir at St Martin's Church, in West Drayton, in 1967 as a child and then went on to attend the school partnered with the church.

He used to attend confirmation classes, and went around six or seven times, where Hibberd sexually assaulted him, police said.

Another male victim came forward and disclosed that he attended the church choir at St Martins Church in West Drayton and went on to attend the school partnered with the church between 1969 and 1970.

There, police said, Hibberd attempted to sexually assault him.

Hibberd was arrested for all the allegations made to police and interviewed in the Isle of Wight. He categorically denied all the offences put to him - and refused to admit any wrongdoing against the victims.

In March last year, Hibberd was charged with six counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14, between 1967-1982.

Detective Constable Nikki Honey, of the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Hibberd preyed on vulnerable young boys who didn't really understand what was happening to them at the time.

"As in many cases of this nature, the victims did not complain, due to the fact that the assailant was a vicar. This coupled with the embarrassment, and the belief that they themselves would be in trouble.

"Hibberd retired from the church and moved to the Isle of Wight where he lived for 15 years. He remained active in the church and with voluntary organisations there.

"It is not inconceivable that he may have abused more boys and I would urge any other victims to contact the police via 101."