CANADA
Blackburn News
By Chelsea Vella on December 18, 2013
Final Crown and defence counsel submissions were made in the trial of a former priest at Sarnia’s courthouse Wednesday.
Gabriele DelBianco is being tried on 18 counts including sexual assault and gross indecency allegedly involving four teenage girls during the 1980′s.
In Crown submissions, Aniko Coughlan alleges that DelBianco abused his position of trust and authority within the church and used his role to create opportunities to be alone with the complainants. She says parents trusted him with their children, even allowing them to go on overnight trips.
DelBianco’s lawyer Andrew Bradie argues none of the complainants claimed they engaged in the sexual acts because DelBianco was an authority figure, but rather because he was charismatic. More than one woman describes him as being like “rock star”, testifying that it made them feel special to be chosen by him.
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