Yvon Arsenault pleaded guilty in October to offences involving minors in Shediac area dating back to the 1970s
Posted: Feb 24, 2017 10:40 AM ATLast Updated: Feb 24, 2017 12:07 PM AT
Yvon Arsenualt has remained free for “humanitarian reasons” pending sentencing after pleading guilty to nine counts of molesting minors dating back to the 1970s. (Radio-Canada)
Former priest Yvon Arsenault will be sentenced this afternoon after changing his plea to guilty in October on nine counts of molestation involving minors, dating back to the 1970s.
The Moncton courtroom heard emotional statements from some of his victims during the morning.
“I can’t change the past, but I want to tell the victims and their families I profoundly regret all the pain I could have caused,” Arsenault said from the prisoner’s box.
The Crown and defence made a joint recommendation for a four-year prison sentence.
Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Zoël Dionne ordered a recess and will impose sentence at 2 p.m.
Arsenault, 74, has remained free for “humanitarian reasons,” pending sentencing, Crown prosecutor Annie St. Jacques has said.
Eleven other counts against Arsenault were withdrawn following his guilty plea.
Arsenault, who was sporting a green dress shirt and grey dress pants, appeared to be in good spirits during the sentencing hearing.
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People mumble…Arsenault has nothing else to say. Justice Dionne says court will resume at 2pm when he will give his sentence.
Judge asks Arsenault: “that’s all?”
“I can’t change the past but I want to tell victims and their families I profoundly regret all the pain I could have caused.”
“Before I give the sentence you have the change to say what you want to the court,” says judge.
Judge asks Arsenault to stand.
Says court sees no use, in 2017, in imposing conditions like staying away from schools, parks, people under 16
“We’re talking about incidents of a historic nature, which, according to all appearances, did not happen in a recent period,” says judge.
Judge says imp. for victims to know if feel their case worse than other, they shouldn’t feel like it’s less so just b/c concurrent sentence
Justice Dionne asks how lawyers see sentence running. Crown’s Annie St Jacques says 4 year global sentence, served concurrently
“There are no magical solutions Mr. judge. But you can take into consideration the last 30 years of his life, where there are no accusations
“If you talk to him about this today, it’s painful for him,” says lawyer, as people in court start mumbling in apparent disapproval.
Says Arsenault consulted several psychologists and psychiatrists to deal with this over the years.
After the 70s he made sure such incidents were never repeated, Lemieux tells court of Arsenault.
“He did everything to give back to society. If he could go back in time to correct what he did he would.”
He pleaded guilty and avoided having to go through lengthy court proceedings he says
He says priest reoriented his practice after sex crimes, so that he no longer worked with youths, in order to try to make things right
Lemieux tells judge being a priest back then big responsibility, not an easy job, treated like Gods on earth.
“You have in front of you a 74 year old man who for a period of his life committed things he regretted all his life,” he tells judge.
@GabrielleFahmy
After he and the priest had consumed a lot of alcohol, they bathed together naked, then priest touched victim and made boy touch him.
@GabrielleFahmy
The second men who read an impact statement was molested in 1980, at the camp in Collette in the forest.
@GabrielleFahmy
Two men who just read their victims impact statement hug each other in support. Lots of emotion in courtroom.
@GabrielleFahmy
“Yvon, you touched me like that. Literally and figuratively. And now I confirm, it’s over, you will never touch me again.”
@GabrielleFahmy
He had to spend much money on psychologists, had to end military career.
@GabrielleFahmy
Victim crying, he’s very emotional. Says suffered major depressive episodes because of what happened. Had to stop working in 94.
@GabrielleFahmy
“Because you touched me, my kids, even the ones I let you baptise, grew up atheist.”
@GabrielleFahmy
“Yvon, you touched me like that. Literally and figuratively. And now I confirm, it’s over, you will never touch me again.”
@GabrielleFahmy
“Every time I drank vodka and clamato juice – which you provided in large quantities- I became sad”
@GabrielleFahmy
“You told me I would become a good priest. People thought you were like a God on earth. My grandmother loved you.”
@GabrielleFahmy
He’s decided to go to counselling now because he’s tired of being angry all the time,
@GabrielleFahmy
He didn’t say anything to anyone, even his wife, until 47 years old. He’s now 55.
@GabrielleFahmy
Went to AA for 6 months, but couldn’t stay. Said he had trouble with the word “God”
@GabrielleFahmy
Lost trust in religion and authority. Became workaholic. Says only thing that helped his suffering.
@GabrielleFahmy
He says after incident, started consuming drugs, trouble making friends. Broke his pride, self-confidence. Had nightmares, suicidal thoughts
@GabrielleFahmy
First victim gets up and walks up to podium. He was molested at a camp in Collette.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyAnnie St Jacques says 2 victims have expressed desire to speak to court.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyThe maximum sentence for molestation in the 70’s is 10 years in prison.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyCrown asking for 4 years in prison. It’s a joint recommendation with the defence.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyPriest had position of authority, and the incidents needed a certain degree of planning on priest’s behalf to be alone with children
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyProsecutor Annie St Jacques now going over aggravating factors: victims were under 18, vulnerable, trust relationship existed with priest
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyAfter he and the priest had consumed a lot of alcohol, they bathed together naked, then priest touched victim and made boy touch him.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyAlso in Shediac where Arsenault was priest, in 71-72, young boy 12-13 often stayed after mass, Arsenault told him he was his favourite
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyThere were many more incidents after that, where priest showed young boy his private parts, and asked him to touch them.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyOne night boy pretended to sleep, and Arsenault came in his bedroom, touched him under his clothes.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyAnother incident in Shediac between 71-74. Young boy aged 11-12, family went to church every Sunday. Priest often went over house for supper
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyVery emotional in courtroom. Some people wiping away tears as listening to this.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyArsenault mostly looking down as Crown going over facts of case. Occasionally looks up.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmy12-year-old boy was serving at mass. Priest got him alone after and gave him wine, then took off his pants and touched him.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyCrown says the 3 youths and priest were playing cards and drinking alcohol earlier that night. It’s the priest who brought the booze he says
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyYoung boy was molested by priest after his two friends left for the night. He screamed, the friends came running back, and stopped priest.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyCrown going over facts of case. 1 charge relates to incident in Collette, between 76-78. Young boy between 12-14 was at camp with friends
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyDionne reminds court we are now talking about victims, not alleged victims anymore, since Arsenault admitted his crimes.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyAbout 50 people present in court, waiting to find out what sentence Arsenault will receive. We’re waiting for justice Zoel Dionne to come in
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyIt’s a full house inside the courtroom. Some victims of Arsenault present.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyArsenault already present, sitting in the prisoner’s box. He seems in good spirits, smiling, talking with the sheriff sitting next to him.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyArsenault already present, sitting in the prisoner’s box. He seems in good spirits, smiling, talking with the sheriff sitting next to him.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyFormer priest Yvon Arsenault expected to be sentenced today in Moncton on 9 sex crimes he admitted to with minors back in the 70’s.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyThe second men who read an impact statement was molested in 1980, at the camp in Collette in the forest.
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Gabrielle Fahmy
@GabrielleFahmyTwo men who just read their victims impact statement hug each other in support. Lots of emotion in courtroom.
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