Ex-supervisor Gets Three Years for Sex Abuse at Saskatchewan Residential School

Vancouver Sun
December 13, 2013

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/fp/yourmoney/Exsupervisor+gets+three+years+abuse+Saskatchewan/9280164/story.html

A former supervisor at a northern Saskatchewan residential school is going to jail after being sentenced on convictions for molesting several students in the 1960s.

Paul Leroux, who worked at the Beauval Indian Residential School, was sentenced to three years Thursday after being found guilty on 10 of 17 charges involving boys at the school.

His victims were angry over the sentence handed down in a Battleford courtroom.

"I feel so totally inadequate. I feel like my life is worthless for what the judge has given him — three years," said one man outside court.

"With good behaviour he will be out in seven months. He will be out by next summer, while we have to live with what he has done to us."

The judge said if the sentences for all his convictions were to be served consecutively, it would add up to 17 years — a crushing sentence for the 73-year-old Leroux.

Other victims said Leroux never considered their age and his age shouldn't have factored into his sentence now.

Prosecutor Mitch Piche said the Crown may appeal the sentence.

"I think it is too low," he said. "I just don't think it is a just and fair sentence under the circumstances."

The Beauval school was operated by the Roman Catholic Church from 1895 to 1983.

It wasn't Leroux's first conviction for abusing boys and youth.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1998 for abusing 14 boys and young men at Grollier Hall, a residential school in Inuvik run by the Roman Catholic Church.

Those convictions were for gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted buggery between 1967 and 1979.

Leroux worked as an activities supervisor and guidance counsellor at Grollier. (CJNB)