Former priest David Norton sentenced to 4 years jail time in sex abuse of boy
Judge said Norton's crimes cheated the victim of his childhood, left him a damaged adult
For four years, former Anglican priest David Norton took a little boy camping, taught him to drive, and molested him.
"Mr. Norton established a trust and friendship to take advantage of the victim," said Justice Lynne Leitch in delivering her verdict. "He inflicted significant harm to a vulnerable and innocent child. Without question, his conduct qualifies as sexually deviant behaviour and the consequences won't go away for the victim."
Hey priest ... Maybe your god will speak to you and tell you to tell the truth about all the things you've done.- Member of the public in court
It was a significantly longer sentence than Norton's defence lawyer wanted. Gord Cudmore recommended a two-year conditional sentence, to be served in the community, followed by three years of probation. Cudmore said his client was not in good health.
But Leitch said Norton's health conditions, including kidney disease and diabetes, can be managed in prison.
Norton also didn't escape an angry outburst from a member of the public gallery in the courtroom.
After the sentencing, and during a brief break, a person stood up and shouted: "Hey priest, why don't you tell the truth about all the boys you molested? Maybe your god will speak to you and tell you to tell the truth about all the things you've done."
The person, who was wearing a Chippewas of the Thames First Nation shirt, was escorted from the courtroom.
More charges before courts
Norton faces more charges, including sexual assault and indecent assault, involving Indigenous boys from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Those are expected to be dealt with in October.
Norton served as a priest at St. Andrew's Anglican Church in that community in 1977.
In her sentencing decision, Leitch reminded the court that Norton said he was remorseful, but "...he lacks insight. He didn't acknowledge or apologize to the victim or his mother."
Norton inflicted “significant harm” to vulnerable, innocent child, judge says. Norton admitted in pre-sentence report he & victim had a fascination with nudity & touching and as adult he should have said no. Judge says that’s victim blaming; he was the adult. Victim has no blame.
—@KateDubinskiIn a victim impact statement read in court Thursday the victim, now in his 30s, said the abuse left him with difficulty forming adult relationships and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
Justice Lietch said no blame should be placed on the victim, adding, Norton destroyed the boy's childhood to satisfy his own sexual cravings.
"Regrettably, he is more focused on the impact on himself than on his victim. He lacks accountability and rationalized his crime as stemming from his and the victim's fascination with nudity and touching," Leitch said.
The Crown had sought a sentence of 4.5 years in prison.
Norton was a professor at King's University. He has a PhD in Native History. He won teaching awards in 2008 and 2012 and many of his former colleagues expressed surprise about the charges against him.