CANADA
CBC News
Crown prosecutor Doug Curliss is asking for a sentence of 25 years for Eric Dejaeger’s crimes, minus the time the former Oblate priest has already served.
In an Iqaluit courtroom Wednesday morning, Curliss said Dejaeger sexually assaulted kids in “virtually every community he was in” and “discredited his calling…and victimized those he should have protected.”
Dejaeger, 67, was convicted last year on 32 counts of child sexual abuse dating back to his time as a priest in Igloolik, Nunavut, between 1978 and 1982.
Curliss listed each of Dejaeger’s 32 offences and asked for consecutive sentences, ranging from 9 months to 8 years, for each. While his proposed sentence added up to 79.5 years, Curliss told the court that by applying the principle of totality, “a combined sentence should not be unduly long or harsh.” He said a sentence of 25 years would be appropriate.
Dejaeger has been in jail since January 2011. His time served to date adds up to 4 years. With a credit of two days for every day served, that would mean Curliss is asking for another 17 years in jail.
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