Former priest's sexual abuse of boy started at 9, continued for 4 years

Disturbing details in a sexual abuse case involving a former priest were heard in a London courtroom this morning. 

• Former priest, professor pleads guilty to sexual touching

David Norton, a former Anglican priest and professor at King's University College, had pleaded guilty on Feb. 28 to sexually touching a child under 14. 

This morning, facts of the case agreed to by the Crown and defence were read into the record of Superior Court of Justice.

The court heard that Norton began to abuse the boy, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, in 1991. At the time the victim was nine years old. 

The abuse often happened on numerous camping trips the boy took with Norton, who is now 72. 

The abuse involved Norton performing fellatio on the boy and having the victim fondle his penis. 

At the time, the victim was being raised by a single mother who hoped Norton would serve as a role model for the boy. 

The abuse continued until the victim was 13, when he began to be teased at school about his contact with Norton. The boy, who is now 34, soon found excuses to avoid contact with Norton. 

Norton is facing similar charges involving other complainants at a trial set to begin in April. The charges against him involve First Nations boys, police have said. 

Norton has shown remorse, lawyer says

Outside the court Wednesday, Norton's lawyer Gordon Cudmore said his client has shown remorse for his crimes.

"He's plead guilty which I think shows that he is both accepting responsibility for the actions and expressing remorse for his actions," said Cudmore.

Norton was an award-winning history professor at King's University College, where he began teaching in 2003. He won a teaching award and at one point specialized in First Nations history. He was placed on leave in 2015 when the charges were laid. 

He was also an Anglican priest. In 1977, he was the priest at Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

He also worked in the Yukon and covered for vacations in various churches until being suspended by the Anglican Diocese of Huron after being charged in November 2015.

The case is set to return to court on May 13 for pre-sentencing. It's possible that a victim impact statement will be read at that time.