Victim tells court how assault by former priest has affected his life

CANADA
The Western Star

Published on February 27, 2013

Gary Kean

CORNER BROOK One of George Smith’s victims wants to give something back to the former Roman Catholic priest who abused him when he was a child.

The man was one of 13 who suffered sexual assaults at the hands of Smith in western Newfoundland in the 1970s and ’80s when he was a parish priest in their communities.

The man was also one of three victims who read out their victim impact statements during Smith’s sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Corner Brook this morning.

The first victim to read his statement carried a crucifix that he said Smith gave him more than three decades ago. He could not give it directly to Smith, but said after court that he hoped to find a way to get it back to him.

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