CANADA
Global News
By Chinta Puxley The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG – A former Orthodox priest convicted of sexually assaulting an altar boy spent just over a week behind bars before being freed on bail until his appeal is heard.
Seraphim Storheim was convicted of sexual assault early this year and sentenced last week to eight months in jail for an assault dating back almost 30 years. His lawyer Jeff Gindin immediately appealed the conviction and sentence, arguing the judge came to the wrong conclusion when he didn’t find Storheim’s account credible.
Gindin argued Thursday his client should be released on bail until the appeal is heard because he poses no threat to society. If Storheim had not been granted bail, Gindin said it’s possible he would have served the bulk of his sentence before his appeal was heard.
Justice Diana Cameron of Manitoba’s Court of Appeal agreed that was likely — even if the appeal moves quickly.
“It’s entirely conceivable he would have served out his sentence before a decision was rendered by this court,” she said.
Storheim, now 68, showed no emotion as he was granted bail and told he could not be alone with a child under the age of 18 as a condition of his release.
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