Graham James sentencing underway for assault against Fleury
Posted Feb 22, 2012 2:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Sentencing hearings are underway for child sex abuser Graham James in Winnipeg.
He pleaded guilty to sexually abusing retired NHL star and former Calgary Flames Theo Fleury and Fleury’s cousin Todd Holt when he coached them as young boys.
James has already spent three and half years in jail for assaulting other players including former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy.
Holt broke down in tears as he recalled playing for James in Swift Current, saying he even asked to be traded but was told nobody wanted him.
He said the abuse he suffered at James’ hands led to his own destructive behaviours that eventually ended his marriage and tore him away from his two children.
Fleury read his statement to media in Vancouver as he couldn’t be in the courtroom, saying he was abused over 150 times by a man his family trusted.
Fleury says the abuse led to him struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, and he even had a gun in his mouth about to pull the trigger before seeking help.
Sheldon Kennedy saw his abuser in person for the first time in 14 years, as he was also attending the hearing.
