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Eric Dejaeger, ex-priest convicted of child sex abuse, back in court

A former priest found guilty of sexually abusing children in Igloolik, Nunavut 30 years ago was back in court this week, facing three outstanding charges from Alberta.

Dejaeger facing three charges dating back to the mid-1970s while studying in Alberta

Ex-priest Eric Dejaeger leaves an Iqaluit, Nunavut courtroom Jan. 20, 2011. Dejaeger was sentenced to 19 years in prison after being found guilty of 32 sex-related charges. He was back in court this week facing three outstanding charges from Alberta. (Chris Windeyer/The Canadian Press)

A former priest found guilty of sexually abusing children in Igloolik three decades ago was back in Nunavut court earlier this week to face outstanding charges from Alberta.

Eric Dejaeger was sentenced in February to 19 years of jail time for 32 sex crimes against boys and girls in Igloolik. Dejaeger was a priest in the Nunavut community between 1978 and 1982 when the crimes were committed.

Dejaeger is in court to face three sex-related charges stemming from a period in the mid-1970s, when he was studying at the Newman Theological College in Edmonton.

The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench agreed to move Dejaeger's case to Nunavut, after he requested to have his Alberta charges heard in the territory.

However, according to Crown prosecutor Barry McLaren, transferring charges from one jurisdiction to another can take time, which is why Dejaeger's next court appearance will not be until June 16, in Iqaluit.