Retired priest faces additional sex abuse charge

Another sexual assault charge has been laid against George Smith, a retired Roman Catholic priest. 

The paper work, put together by the RCMP in Moncton, was filed today in Corner Brook.

The latest charge involves one of the victims connected to previous charges, but the location is different.

Smith was supposed to be sentenced in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court this morning on 40 charges related to the abuse of young people.

However, the additional charge has delayed proceedings.

Smith has been charged with offences dating from the 1960s through to the 1980s. 13 victims have come forward, alleging that Smith sexually assaulted them in nine communities, including locations in western Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Smith retired from the priesthood when he left Newfoundland and Labrador in 1994, but he worked for some time after that at a rural church in Prince Edward Island.

Smith was removed from his duties in 2010, when allegations of abuse surfaced. At that time he was working at St. Malachy's Church in Kinkora, P.E.I.

The retired Roman Catholic priest has been in police custody since February 2012.

Smith will be back in court on Feb. 27, the day he turns 75, and 28. 

It has been expected that the judge will be presented with an agreed statement of facts for sentencing.