Omer Desjardins, 82-year-old Catholic priest, jailed for sexual assault
Father Omer Desjardins pleaded guilty to 1978 offense
An 82-year-old Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to a 1978 sexual assault north of Saskatoon is going to jail.
Father Omer Desjardins assaulted his young victim when he served in the town of Marcelin.
Judge Byron Wright sentenced Desjardins to six months in jail, to be followed by one year of probation. He also submitted his name to the national sex offender registry.
The sentence must reflect society's revulsion.- Judge Byron Wright
Wright rejected a defense request for a sentence to be served in the community.
"In cases involving the abuse of children," he said.
"The sentence must reflect society's revulsion."
Desjardins was in Marcelin in the late 1970s.
He moved to Winnipeg in 1986.
After hearing the sentence, Desjardins quietly emptied his pockets and handed over his cell phone to supporters before deputies escorted him out of court.
His lawyer said he's considering appealing the sentence.