Disgraced Former Bishop to Be Released

Ctvottawa.ca
January 4, 2012

http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120104/OTT-lahey-free-after-credit-for-time-served-120104/20120104/?hub=OttawaHome

Bishop Raymond Lahey leaves the Ottawa Court House following his sentencing in Ottawa on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. The disgraced Roman Catholic bishop was sentenced to 15 months in jail and 24 months probation for importing child-pornography. He was released as he has already served his time. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Defence Lawyer Michael Edelson speaks to reporters at the Ottawa court House following the sentencing of his client Bishop Raymond Lahey in Ottawa on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. The disgraced Roman Catholic bishop was sentenced to 15 months in jail and 24 months probation for importing child-pornography. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Disgraced former Catholic bishop Raymond Lahey who was caught with hundreds of pornographic photos of young boys was released from jail Wednesday after receiving credit for time already served.

"He's taken responsibility," said Lahey's lawyer Michael Edelson. "I think he's now living with what he's done and he realizes what his life is going to be like as a result of what he's done."

Lahey was sentenced to 15 months in jail and 24 months of probation. But since Ontario Court Justice Kent Kirkland gave Lahey double credit for the time he has served since last spring, the cleric has already completed his sentence.

The former bishop pleaded guilty last May to one count of importing child pornography to Canada after being nabbed at the Ottawa airport with hundreds of sexual images of young boys. He voluntarily went to jail.

At today's hearing, a man named Roger Touchette yelled an obscenity at Lahey and claimed that he assaulted him when he was 11-years-old.

"You're not a f-ing pedophile," Touchette yelled at Lahey. "You're a f-ing demon."

At a sentencing hearing last month, Lahey offered an apology to his church and to victims of child pornography.

As part of his probation, Lahey will have to submit a DNA sample and register as a sex offender. He will also have to allow searches of his personal and office computers when required by authorities.

Crown prosecutor David Elhadad said he was satisfied by the sentence.

Lahey voluntarily resigned his post in the Catholic Church in a formal letter to the Vatican last year.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman