Sentencing Hearing for Retired Priest in Corner Brook

CBC News
February 27, 2013

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2013/02/27/nl-george-smith-sentencing-227.html

George Smith, seen in a file image, is in Supreme Court in Corner Brook for a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

Retired priest George Smith was in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court in Corner Brook for sentencing Wednesday.

Smith, 75, pleaded guilty to 41 sex-related offences and has been in jail for more than a year.

Of those charges, 26 are for indecent assault, seven for sexual assault, and eight for assault.

A total of 13 victims have come forward, all of them either altar boys or had families involved with the churches where Smith was parish priest.

During the reading of the agreed statement of facts, a pattern was presented for each victim.

They alleged they would be asked to go to Smith's home to help with tasks, and Smith would feed the boys alcohol.

The boys would drink until they either passed out or fell asleep, often waking up to Smith touching or fondling them.

Some of the victims were in the courtroom during the hearing.

Judge William Goodridge called the statement of facts "very disturbing," but congratulated the victims’ courage for coming forward.

Victim impact statements will be heard throughout the day.