A paedophile Anglican priest has been sentenced to 20 months in jail for sexually abusing an altar boy in the mid-1970s.

ABC Story here

Wilfred Edwin Dennis, 74, has been jailed before for similar offences against other altar boys.

The victim, about 15, was assaulted in the robing room of a northern suburbs church.

Adelaide District Court Judge Sydney Tilmouth said Dennis remained in self denial despite the previous conviction.

He said the offence was a gross breach of trust and a prison sentence was needed as a deterrent to others.

Dennis has been given a 12-month non-parole period.