A former Anglican priest who served in Griffith, Graeme Russell Lawrence, has been granted conditional bail after he was charged with historical child sex offences.

The 82-year-old faced an online bail hearing last, with the court told he was on parole after serving a custodial sentence for similar matters.

Lawrence was arrested at a home in the Newcastle on Monday, and later charged with five counts of sexual assault, indecent act with a person under 16 years of age and two counts of sexual assault person under 16 years.

The court heard Lawrence’s alleged victim was seven-years-old at the time.

Graeme Lawrence was ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Riverina in 1965 and a priest in 1966. He served as rector at St Alban’s Church in the Parish of Griffith in 1975 and became an archdeacon in 1978.

He also acted as commissary when the Bishop of Riverina was absent between 1978 and May 1984.

Lawrence retired from service in 2008 and defrocked in 2012.

Lawrence’s case has been adjourned to tomorrow's September 24 sitting of Griffith Local Court.

If this story has raised concerns for you, you can seek help from the National Office for Child Safety