David Norton trial: witness tells court he was abused while priest let him drive

Two men, now in their late 40s, testified at the trial of former priest, David Norton, on Wednesday. Both told a London court that overnight sleepovers at the Norton's house took similar sinister turns when they were young boys. 

Norton faces five counts of sexual abuse involving boys from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. 

Norton, now 72, was the priest of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in the community. The allegations stretch back to the 1970s and the 80s.  

Wednesday was day three of the trial. 

The witnesses can't be identified due to a publication ban, which is common in cases involving allegations of sexual abuse. 

The morning began with testimony from a man who told the court he was drawn into a friendship with Norton as an escape from a house where money was tight and he was forced to share space with four siblings. He began working as an altar boy in the church when he was nine years old.

The man said, at first, he enjoyed spending time with Norton, who presented himself as "nice guy" who took the boy to movies.

On weekend nights, he would frequently stay at Norton's London apartment, where he would listen to records and be served chicken pot pie, something he wouldn't be given at home. 

The man said he would share a bed with Norton and, echoing testimony from other witnesses, said he would often feel groggy the next day. 

"I didn't feel good when I woke up," the man told the court.

He testified that, on one occasion, he awoke to find Norton rubbing a sticky substance on his face and lips. He said he now believes the substance was semen.

Abuse happened while he drove, witness says

The man also testified that Norton would let him sit on his lap while he drove. The witness said he would be allowed to steer while Norton operated the pedals. During these driving sessions, the man said Norton would rub his hand on the boy's penis.

The witness said the visits and abuse continued for a year. Then, his relationship with Norton ended suddenly when he told his mother about the abuse a day before he was supposed to begin a week-long stay with Norton. 

The man said he gave a statement to police years later after seeing Norton show up in the community.

"We didn't want to see him do that to anyone else," he told the court. 

Similar story

The second witness to testify Wednesday told the court about similar experiences with Norton. He was also an altar boy and also grew up poor.

He was prone to misbehave and trips with Norton were a welcome diversion from conflict at home. The man estimates he went to Norton's apartment about 35 times over a two-year period. His time with Norton would include trips to a bowling alley and visits to London's Springbank Park. 

The man said he also often felt groggy after falling asleep at Norton's place. 

He described waking up one night to Norton pressing his penis into his back.

The next day, the witness recalled being upset when Norton called him to sit beside him. The witness said Norton explained his behaviour the night before by saying "A man has to do what a man has to do."

The witness said, after that incident, he never went back to spend time with Norton, saying he felt ashamed.

During Wednesday's testimony, Norton continued to stare at the floor, rarely looking up. 

The trial is set to resume Thursday afternoon.