Former Winnipeg priest pleads guilty to sex assaults on three boys aged 9 to 18

WINNIPEG — A former Winnipeg priest has admitted to years of sexual abuse against three young boys.

Father Ron Leger, former pastor of Holy Family Parish, pleaded guilty on Monday to sexual assault and sexual interference.

Crown and defence lawyers told court the 77-year-old will be facing a substantial jail sentence under a joint recommendation when sentencing is held in early 2016.

Leger remains free on bail at this time.

He was arrested earlier this year after the victims, who ranged in age between nine and 18 at the time, came forward.

Two of the boys were attacked in the 1980s, while the third occurred between 2002 and 2004.

Crown attorney Debbie Buors read a brief statement of facts in court Monday, saying Leger was like a mentor to the three victims.

Leger repeatedly fondled them at various locations, including his own home and a school change room following a basketball game one of the boys had just played in.

Leger was appointed pastor of Holy Family Parish in 1995. Before that, he founded Teen Stop Jeunesse, a teen drop-in centre, in 1980.

The centre was originally called Ron’s Drop-In and was located on Rue Des Meurons, but it has since moved to St. Anne’s Road.

The archdiocese released a statement expressing “its deep sorrow to the victims who have come forward as well as to their families and the entire parish community of Holy Family who have been affected by the alleged actions by their former pastor.”