Former Ont. priest sentenced to 3 years in prison

A former Roman Catholic priest has been sentenced to three years inprison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing dozens of girls overthree decades.

Charles Sylvestre, of Belle River, Ont.,pleaded guiltyin Augustto indecently assaulting 47 girls between 1954and 1986.

Questionshad beenraised recently about the 84-year-old's mental fitness and a judge ordered a court-appointed psychiatrist to conduct apsychiatric assessment.

The Chatham judge determined Friday that although the former priest may suffer from slight dementia, he was fit to be sentenced.

The judge also ruled Sylvestre must provide a DNA sample for the sex offender registry and must accept a 10-year firearm prohibition.

Earlier in the hearing, Sylvestre apologized to the victims and asked for forgiveness.

Theincidents took place in parishes throughout southwestern Ontario, including Windsor, London, Sarnia, Chatham-Kent and Pain Court.

Charges included indecent assault, sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a female under 14 years of age.

After Sylvestre's guilty plea, the head of the Roman Catholic diocese of London, Ont., issued a formal apology toSylvestre's victims for failing to protect them from the priest.