A Cheshire vicar who involved a child in sexual activity with the woman he was having an affair with was jailed for four years.

Stephen Clapham, 61 at sentencing, began his affair with Sally Shaw, 52, in 2016 while serving at All Saints Church in Crewe.

Their relationship continued after he became vicar at All Saints Church in Church Lawton, with prosecutors condemning his betrayal of the trust and authority attached to his role.

Clapham and Shaw engaged in sexual activity in front of the child and incited the child to become involved.

Shaw also took indecent photographs of the victim and sent them to Clapham. The abuse came to light when the child disclosed what had happened to school staff, leading to both offenders being arrested in 2021.

Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 20 April 2023, receiving four years in prison each. They were placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and given lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, alongside restraining orders protecting the victim.

Police said Clapham had exploited his standing in the parish, while prosecutors praised the child’s courage in exposing the abuse.

Both have since being released