More Sex-related Charges Expected against Catholic Priest

The Telegram
April 9, 2012

http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2012-04-09/article-2950518/More-sexrelated-charges-expected-against-Catholic-priest/1

Corner Brook - A Roman Catholic priest facing 62 sex-related charges could be facing even more charges when he appears in court again in Corner Brook next month.

The case of George Ansel Smith, 74, was called in Newfoundland Supreme Court in Corner Brook ths morning.

The former local priest was not present, and his lawyer Thomas Williams appeared via telephone.

The case was set over to May 7 as Crown attorney Trina Simms informed the court she is awaiting the transfer of another charge — involving one of the current victims — from Nova Scotia. She said there is a possibility further charges may come out of New Brunswick, as well.

Smith has elected to be tried by judge alone on the present charges.

The charges against Smith include gross indecency, indecent assault on a male, sexual assault, unlawfully committing a gross indecency and unlawfully assaulting with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The offences are alleged to have happened between 1969 and 1989 in six different communities, including Port Saunders, Corner Brook, Stephenville, St. Fintan's, Cape St. George and Deer Lake.

Smith, who court documents state lived in Truro, N.S., was suspended from his ministry in Prince Edward Island in May 2010 after the church received a complaint.