QUEBEC - A Quebec priest has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually abusing 13 boys over more than a decade.

The abuse took place between 1973 and 1985 when Raymond-Marie Lavoie was a teacher at the now-defunct St-Alphonse Seminary near Quebec City.

He was responsible at the time for overseeing the dormitory.

Lavoie received the sentence in a Quebec City courtroom today.

The Crown had been seeking an eight-year prison term and will appeal the sentence.

Lavoie is in his early 70s.

He pleaded guilty last summer and said he was sorry for the crimes.