Ex-priest Gerald Ridsdale faces court over dozens of sex abuse charges
Former priest Gerald Ridsdale has faced court over 24 sex abuse charges against two boys.
Police & Courts
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Former priest Gerald Ridsdale has faced court over child sex abuse charges.
The 87-year-old, who is facing 24 charges against two boys, spoke briefly during a Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court hearing where he dialled in from Hopkins Correctional Centre on Monday morning.
“I can hear you, yes,” Ridsdale confirmed to Magistrate Peter Mellas before confirming he understood the charges and that he was expecting a lawyer to appear for him, who attended after a delay.
Ridsdale has been charged with 24 offences, including ten counts of sexual penetration of a child aged 10 to 16, one count of attempted sexual penetration, 10 counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency.
The alleged offending occurred in Mortlake in 1981 and 1982.
The court heard that police had completed a brief of evidence, which would be served “immediately”.
Ridsdale will return to the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on June 17.
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