Graeme Lawrence, the former Anglican Dean of Newcastle, has been sentenced to a maximum of eight years jail over the rape of a 15-year-old boy at his deanery in 1991.

Key points: The former Anglican cleric was given a non-parole period of four years and six months

The former Anglican cleric was given a non-parole period of four years and six months The court heard Lawrence warned the victim, Ben Giggins, to never tell anyone

The court heard Lawrence warned the victim, Ben Giggins, to never tell anyone Mr Giggins kept the rape a secret for decades until he saw the Royal Commission on the news

The 77-year-old was in July found guilty of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.

Lawrence was the Anglican Dean of Newcastle in 1991 when he lured his victim to his private accommodation next door to Newcastle's Christ Church Cathedral after a youth band concert.

The court heard how Lawrence led then 15-year-old Ben Giggins into a small room and showed him pictures of naked boys before forcing him to the ground and raping him.

"He pulled the shirt over his head forcing him to hands and knees," District Court Judge Tim Gartelmann said during today's sentencing remarks.

"The victim was so scared he was shaking at this time.

"The offender must have known the victim did not consent but persisted regardless."

Judge Gartlemann said Mr Giggins had repeatedly asked him to stop.

Ben Giggins encouraged other child sex abuse survivors to come forward. ( ABC NEWS: Carly Cook )

The court heard Lawrence had taken steps to silence his victim, warning Mr Giggins — who eventually broke free and ran away — not to tell anyone what happened.

The judge said Lawrence had yelled after his fleeing victim: "Don't go telling anybody, you're just a boy and I'm the Dean. No one will believe you."

He said the former dean had shown no remorse for his crimes, before he handed down a non-parole period of four years and six-months.

In an earlier victim impact statement that Mr Giggins read out to the court during sentencing submissions, the 43-year-old husband and father said the incident had scarred him for life.

He said he kept the rape a secret for decades and the trauma and regular depressive bouts he experienced put immense strain on his family.

"My wife said I was no longer in the right head space and that I had checked out and we nearly separated, it has affected our son," Mr Giggins said in his statement.

"The Royal Commission started and it was on the news, and I thought one night the time is now".

Victim just wanted to be believed

Outside court Mr Giggins said he was "very pleased" with the outcome and hoped it would encourage other victims of sexual abuse who were still struggling to come forward.

The court heard the rape occurred next to Newcastle's Anglican Christ Church Cathedral. ( ABC News: Dan Cox )

"Come forward don't be ashamed," he said.

Mr Giggins said he didn't think anyone would believe him after he came forward.

"It was a big step and one that I had to take for other victims as well," he said.

"It gives me closure due to the fact that I'm believed."

He said the fact Lawrence had not shown remorse for his crime did not trouble him.

"I just think that shows the arrogance of the man," he said.

"He thought he was higher above people in general society. He tried to hide behind the fact that he was the Dean."