Cardinal George Pell in court for hearing over historical sex offences

Cardinal George Pell has made his first appearance at the Victorian County Court to set a timetable for his criminal trial on historical sex offences.

Cardinal George Pell arrives at the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, today. Picture: AAP

Cardinal George Pell made his first appearance at the Victorian County Court this morning for a brief hearing at 9am to set a timetable for his criminal trial on historical sex offences.

Cardinal Pell was yesterday committed to stand trial on charges relating to multiple complainants and his barrister Robert Richter QC had indicated the defence may seek separate trials.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington committed the cardinal to stand trial on charges relating to allegations at a Ballarat pool in the 1970s and at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral in the 1990s.

This morning Judge Sue Pullen moved through the proceedings, addressing several issues which needed to be resolved before a trial or trials could take place.

She listed the case for a further directions hearing before Chief Judge Peter Kidd on May 16.

The cardinal’s case was heard in courtroom 2.10, a small room with just 30 seats which were filled with media and lawyers for Cardinal Pell and the other five defendants listed at 9am.

A media scrum awaited Cardinal Pell when he left after the 10-minute hearing.