April 26, 2005

Priest admits assault

CANADA
Edmonton Sun

WINNIPEG -- A disgraced Ontario pastor pleaded guilty yesterday to sexually assaulting the 17-year-old son of a Winnipeg colleague while visiting the man's home last year. Rev. Andrew Paulsen, 56, received a two-year suspended sentence under a joint recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers. He must abstain from alcohol and not have unsupervised contact with children under 14.

Paulsen stepped down from his church duties in Cambridge, Ont., when news of his arrest surfaced in the community last fall.

A subdued Paulsen read from a handwritten letter and apologized for his actions, which he blamed on chronic alcohol abuse for which he's now receiving professional help.

Paulsen came to Winnipeg in February 2004 for a business trip and was picked up at the airport by the victim's father, who is a Lutheran pastor.

Posted by kshaw at April 26, 2005 08:09 AM