Artist, Graham Ovenden, will not go to jail for sex abuse

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An internationally renowned artist who was found guilty of a string of sex charges against children will not go to jail.

Graham Ovenden, 70, who lives near Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, received 12 months' imprisonment suspended for two years.

He was convicted by a jury in April of six charges of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault relating to three girls. The offences occurred between 1972 and 1985.

Judge Graham Cottle at Plymouth Crown Court said the sentence reflected Ovenden's age, health and the damage to his reputation as an artist.

Ovenden plans to appeal.