Former P.E.I. priest Brendon Earl Gallant, 80, seen here exiting provincial court in Georgetown on Aug. 21 after pleading guilty to sexual assault now wants the court to withdraw that guilty plea. Photo by Terrence McEachern /Guardian fileArticle contentA former Roman Catholic priest convicted of sexually abusing an altar boy in eastern P.E.I. in the late 1980s now wants the court to withdraw his guilty plea.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentBrendon Earl Gallant, 80, was expected to appear in provincial court in Georgetown on Oct. 9 for sentencing. Instead, his lawyer, Peter Ghiz, appeared on his behalf and informed the court that Gallant wants his previous guilty plea to indictable sexual assault withdrawn.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentA publication ban is in place preventing the release of information that could identify the male victim. The Crown had stayed a second charge of sexual interference involving touching a person under the age of 16 for a sexual purpose.Article contentEarlier guilty pleaArticle contentOn Aug. 21, Gallant elected to have the matter dealt with in provincial court and pleaded guilty to the charge. After doing so, Gallant underwent a plea inquiry with Judge Nancy Orr, which involved him responding to a series of questions, including whether he made the guilty plea of his own free will. To that question, Gallant said “yes.”Article contentCrown attorney John Diamond then read in court an agreed statement of facts discussing the offence that Gallant pleaded guilty to committing. The agreed statement of facts was signed by Diamond, Ghiz and Gallant and filed it with the court.Article contentAt that court appearance, Orr granted Ghiz’s request and adjourned sentencing so a pre-sentence report could be prepared discussing Gallant’s background history and personal circumstances. Gallant did not have a prior criminal record. It was also indicated that the sides would be presenting the court with a joint recommendation on the sentence.Article contentCourt adjournedArticle contentOn Oct. 9, Ghiz did not say why his client wanted his guilty plea withdrawn. He said he found out about Gallant’s intention a few days earlier and notified Diamond and the court.Article contentOrr adjourned the matter to Dec. 11 for a hearing on whether Gallant can withdraw his guilty plea.Article contentArticle contentTerrence McEachern is a justice reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at tmceachern@postmedia.com.Article content
Former P.E.I. priest wants sexual assault guilty plea withdrawn
