BATTLEFORD, Sask. – A former supervisor at a Saskatchewan residential school has been found guilty of molesting several students in the 1960′s.
Paul Leroux, now in his 70;s, worked at the Beauval Indian Residential School.
A judge in Battleford court convicted Leroux on 10 of 17 charges involving boys at the school – eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency
Leroux, who appeared to be stunned by the conviction, has been taken into custody until his sentencing on Dec. 5.
After court was dismissed, people applauded.
One of Leroux’s victims, who can’t be named, said outside court the judge’s decision meant a lot to him.
He says he is not the only victim – his wife and family also had to live with the consequences of his abuse.
He also says today is a new dawn and the start of healing.
Leroux was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1998 for abusing 14 boys and young men at Grollier Hall, a residential school in Inuvik run by the Roman Catholic Church.
Those convictions were for gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted buggery between 1967 and 1979.
Leroux worked as an activities supervisor and guidance counsellor at Grollier.
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CK750
06 November 2013
By Cam Lee
Wednesday, November 06, 2013 06:31 AM
Battleford, SK – A judge has found a former supervisor at a residential school in Beauval guilty of molesting several students in the 1960’s.
Paul Leroux was found guilty on 10 of 17 charges, including eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency.
The 72 year old will be in custody until sentencing December 5th.
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Man convicted of sexual assaults in residential school in custody, pending sentencing
Battleford Daily News
05 November 2013
Former Indian Residential School dorm supervisor Paul Leroux, convicted in Battleford today of 10 of 17 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency will remain in custody, pending a sentencing hearing next month.
After Queen’s Bench Justice M.D. Acton rendered his decision, Crown Prosecutor Mitch Piche asked that Leroux be held in custody, pending a sentencing hearing, scheduled for Dec. 5 in Court of Queen’s Bench, Battleford. Leroux, who represented himself during the two and a half week trial, is from BC. He argued against the move.
Acton took a recess to consider that request. When court reconvened, Acton said he “reluctantly” agreed to Piche’s request. As he did so, the virtually packed courtroom burst into sustained applause. Supporters consoled at least one victim and shook hands with others.
As reported earlier, Leroux was charged with sexually abusing boys from 1959 through much of the early ’60s until 1967.
Piche asked for a presentence report which is expected to be completed between now and the Dec. 5 sentencing hearing.
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Former residential school supervisor convicted
panow.com (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan)
BATTLEFORD, Sask. – A former supervisor at a Saskatchewan residential school has been found guilty of molesting several students in the 1960s.
Paul Leroux, who is now in his 70s, worked at the Beauval Indian Residential School.
A judge in Battleford court convicted Leroux on 10 of 17 charges involving boys at the school — eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency
Leroux, who appeared to be stunned by the conviction, has been taken into custody until sentencing Dec. 5.
After the trial was dismissed, people in the courtroom applauded.
One of Leroux’s victims, who can’t be named, said outside court the judge’s decision meant a lot to him.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome, this is after 50 years of living in denial, and I believe what today brings will be a fairness to us as victims.”
The man said what happened to him has affected others.
“It’s not just myself that’s the victim here, it’s my family, my wife, my children, my father, and all the people I’ve had contact with in my community.
“I think today is a new dawn for us and for our leadership, it’s a beginning of our journey of healing.”
It wasn’t Leroux’s first conviction for abusing boys and youth. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1998 for abusing 14 boys and young men at Grollier Hall, a residential school in Inuvik run by the Roman Catholic Church.
Those convictions were for gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted buggery between 1967 and 1979.
Leroux worked as an activities supervisor and guidance counsellor at Grollier.
(CJNB, The Canadian Press)