PEIAn 80-year-old retired priest on Prince Edward Island who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in the late 1980s is now asking to withdraw his guilty plea.Brendon Earl Gallant was charged earlier this year after a 2-year investigationNicola MacLeod · CBC News · Posted: Oct 09, 2025 1:54 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoBrendon Earl Gallant is shown in an image from his Facebook page. (Facebook) Warning: This story contains details of an alleged sexual assault. An 80-year-old retired priest on Prince Edward Island who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in the late 1980s is now asking to withdraw his guilty plea.Brendon Earl Gallant was charged earlier this year after a two-year investigation by the RCMP. He pleaded guilty in August and was set to be sentenced in Georgetown on Thursday.But Gallant did not appear in Georgetown to accept his sentence. His lawyer, Peter Ghiz, instead appeared alone and told the court that Gallant would be making an application to withdraw his guilty plea. Ghiz said he only learned about his client’s wishes two days ago.“I want the matter dealt with as quickly as possible,” Crown prosecutor John Diamond told the court, adding that he understands Ghiz’s situation, having only received the instruction from his client this week.”I already filed my materials with respect for sentencing. I have a victim who wants this matter dealt with as well.”Withdrawal at judge’s discretion Judge Nancy Orr has set a hearing date for December, at which time the defence will have to argue why Gallant should be allowed to withdraw his plea.If the withdrawal is accepted, it could allow the defence to take a different approach like entering a not guilty plea and going to trial.People accused of a crime in Canada can ask the court to withdraw a guilty plea at any time before a sentence is imposed. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada says there are many reasons why an innocent person might admit to a crime they did not commit, like not having an alibi, protecting the real perpetrator or perceived pressure from the Crown or their lawyer.Ghiz told the court he was “waiting for other evidence from third parties,” but did not specify Gallant’s reasons for requesting to withdraw his pleas. The defence will have to submit its arguments in writing to the judge before the next appearance in December.After that hearing, Orr will decide whether Gallant’s previous admission of sexually assaulting a pre-teen boy stays or goes. Facts already admittedAt the time of the now-disputed guilty plea, the Crown read an agreed statement of facts, which was signed by Gallant, into the record.That statement said Gallant was a Catholic priest posted to St. Margarets parish in the eastern P.E.I. community near Souris in the late 1980s when the alleged assault was committed.Gallant was a priest for about 30 years across P.E.I., including in the community of St. Margarets, near Souris. (Nicola MacLeod/CBC)The victim was 12 years old at the time, while Gallant was in his 40s.The document said Gallant took an interest in the boy after the child’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and invited the victim to stay overnight at his residence on several occasions. Gallant admitted to touching the boy’s private areas, giving him alcohol, and inviting the child to sleep in the same bed with him during those visits.The court heard the victim woke up disoriented one night, saw blood, and believed Gallant had tried to have sex with him.After the victim brought the allegation forward in 2023, Gallant told investigators he did, indeed, ask the victim to come to bed for sex.WATCH | Retired priest charged in P.E.I. with sex-related offences from the late 1980s:79-year-old retired priest charged in P.E.I. with sex-related offences from the late 1980sRev. Brendon Gallant served more than 15 Roman Catholic parishes on P.E.I. before he retired. Now he’s facing charges that go back to the late 1980s, allegedly involving sexual misconduct against a minor. The CBC’s Nicola MacLeod explains.After his arrest in March, Gallant was “emotional and remorseful.””By signing and acknowledging this agreed statement of facts, the accused acknowledges that throughout the relevant time period with respect to the victim… he engaged in a sexual relationship with the victim with which he was unable by operation of the law to provide consent,” the document reads.Gallant’s signature appears directly beneath this section of the document. At the time of the guilty plea, Orr also went through a plea inquiry, asking Gallant whether he was making the plea of his own free will, and if he was aware the burden is on the Crown to prove the case against him.Gallant answered yes to all.Decades of movement around P.E.I.Gallant was a priest for about 30 years, serving in communities across all three of P.E.I.’s counties.His postings included Catholic churches in Cardigan, Little Pond, St. Georges, Georgetown, Souris, Charlottetown, Glenwood, Brae, Alberton, Bloomfield, Foxley River, St. Charles and Burton. He retired in 2018 after his final placement in Tignish.The Diocese of Charlottetown has also apologized for Gallant’s actions.There are resources and supports available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence:Victim Services P.E.I. / Queens and Kings County: 902-368-4582; Prince County: 902-888-8218Rise P.E.I. / Phone or text: 902-218-6143P.E.I. Rape and Sexual Assault Centre / Call: 902-368-8055 or 1-888-368-8055Here is a list of sexual assault centres, crisis lines and support services elsewhere in Canada.ABOUT THE AUTHORNicola is a reporter and producer for CBC News in Prince Edward Island. She regularly covers the criminal justice system and also hosted the CBC podcast Good Question P.E.I. She grew up on the Island and is a graduate of St. Thomas University’s journalism program. Got a story? Email nicola.macleod@cbc.caNicola MacLeod on X
Retired P.E.I. Catholic priest, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting boy in 1980s, wants plea withdrawn
