George Pell jailed for six years on child sex abuse offences
The surviving victim of George Pell’s abuse says it is hard to take comfort in the maximum six-year sentence handed down today.
- What Judge Kidd said
- Breakdown of sentences
- Pell sentenced to six years
- Will Pell apply for bail?
- Court of Appeal awaits
- ‘Sentence will be polarising’
- Helpline available for victims
Cardinal George Pell has been jailed for a maximum of six years over his sexual abuse of two choirboys at St Patrick’s Cathedral when he was Archbishop of Melbourne, a prison term the judge conceded could see him die in jail.
“I am conscious that the term of imprisonment, which I am about to impose upon you, carries with it a real, as distinct from theoretical, possibility that you may not live to be released from prison,” Peter Kidd, the Chief Judge of the County Court, told the disgraced cardinal as he sentenced him. “Facing jail at your age in these circumstances must be an awful state of affairs for you.”
MORE: Stony-faced, Pell met his fate
However Judge Kidd set a non-parole term of three years and eight months for the offending which he described as “brazen” and committed with “venom”.
“No rest for me,” says victim
The father of Pell’s deceased abuse victim said he was expecting Pell to be sentenced to up to 20 years.
“He [Pell] got six and really? My son’s got a lifetime sentence. He’s dead,” he said.
He said he was happiest about Pell being added to national sex offender register, and had faith in the court system despite some criticising the guilty verdict.
The surviving victim, through his lawyer, said it was hard to “allow myself the gravity of this moment”.
“It is hard for me, for the time being, to take comfort in this outcome,” he said.
“I appreciate that the Court has acknowledged what was inflicted upon me as a child. “However, there is no rest for me. Everything is overshadowed by the forthcoming appeal.”
Stony-faced sentencing
Pell, the most senior Vatican official ever to stand trial on child sex-abuse charges, sat stony-faced in the dock of courtroom 3.3 as Judge Kidd sentenced him this morning. He received sentences for one charge of sexual penetration with a child under 16 and four counts of indecent act with, or in the presence of, a child under 16, relating to two separate incidents at the cathedral in 1996 and 1997.
The first incident related to choristers J and R who had left the procession and made their way to the priest’s sacristy where Pell caught them drinking sacramental wine.
Judge Kidd said Pell pulled R aside, pulled out his penis, grabbed R by the head and placed R’s head near his genitals.
“J saw R’s face, R was terrified,” Judge Kidd said.
He said Pell then turned to J and pushed his penis into J’s mouth.
“J was, to use his words, freaking out when this happened,” Judge Kidd said.
“In my view the first episode in the priest’s sacristy involved a brazen and forceful attack on the two victims … there is an added layer of degradation and humiliation that each of your victims must have felt in knowing that their abuse had been witnessed by the other.”
The second incident involved Pell squeezing J’s genitals in a corridor.
“You had had ample time to reflect upon your previous abuse … despite this, you still indecently acted against J and did so with what I consider to be a degree of physical aggression and venom,” Judge Kidd said.
He described the offending as “risky and brazen” and said it was a breach of trust and abuse of power.
“Your obvious status as Archbishop cast a powerful shadow over this offending,” he said.
Judge Kidd said Pell, as archbishop, occupied the most senior religious and official position at the cathedral on the days of the offending and he was “profoundly revered”.
“The choirboys were the least powerful and the most subordinate individuals at the cathedral,” Judge Kidd said.
“The full weight of your authority and position of power must have been very obvious to your victims and to you.”
JUDGE KIDD’S REMARKS: Mobile users, click here to see the pdf
He said Pell offended against the two choirboys in an unlocked room.
“You had a degree of confidence that the victims would not complain either immediately or by running out at some later stage,” Judge Kidd said.
“Staggering arrogance”
“In my view your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance … On the one hand I must punish and denounce you for this appalling offending,” Judge Kidd said.
“Yet on the other hand, I am conscious of the heavy reality that I am about to sentence you, a man of advanced years, who has led an otherwise blameless life, to a significant period of imprisonment, which will account for a good portion of the balance of your life.”
Judge Kidd said Pell had significant health issues which were impacted by stress and there were concerns about his notoriety.
But he also condemned the witch-hunt that followed Pell from his return to Australia in mid-2017 until he was taken into custody last week. The sentence was not a vindication of trauma suffered by survivors of abuse at the hands of other clergy.
“You are not to be made a scapegoat for any failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Pell, who was until late-February the Vatican’s treasurer, is the highest- ranking Catholic to be convicted and jailed for child sexual abuse.
After the sentencing, flanked by security, Pell signed paperwork to be registered for life as a sex offender
Pell denies all allegations of wrongdoing and has launched an appeal over the convictions, to be heard by the Court of Appeal in June.
HOW THE SENTENCING UNFOLDED
Tessa Akerman 1.14pm: Judge transparency praised
Victims’ support group SNAP have issued a statement praising Judge Kidd’s transparency in sentencing.
“We join countless survivors in praising Chief Judge Peter Kidd for his transparency in meticulously summarising his review and reaction to the court charges, the defence’s obfuscations, and his reasons and considerations in laying his sentence for each charge,” the statement said.
“Today’s sentence is a reminder that no matter how powerful a person is nor how high they have climbed, they are still subject to the rule of law.”
SNAP said they hoped Pell’s sentence would provide some measure of healing to the surviving chorister and comfort to the family of the non-surviving victim.
“The courage and conviction of these two survivors will make Australian children safer in the future,” the statement said.
Remy Varga 1.07pm: ‘Tipping point’
Reason Party leader Fiona Patten said while it was disappointing the sentence wasn’t longer, she believed today represented a tipping point for the Catholic Church.
“I’m pleased there is a term of imprisonment and I think we can all take some comfort from that, but I think it is disappointing that that sentence is not longer.”
“I think there will be many survivors who are desperately disappointed today. Today we heard boos and cheers. Just the fact Pell has been brought to justice will be a tipping point to how the church responds to sexual abuse.
Remy Varga 12.45pm: ‘I thought he’d get longer’
The father of the deceased abuse victim said he was expecting Pell to be sentenced to up to 20 years.
“I suppose I’m a bit angry — it’s a real bag of emotions,” he said.
“I thought they would have given him longer.”
“He got six and really? My son’s got a lifetime sentence. He’s dead.”
The dad of the deceased said he was happiest about Pell being added to national sex offender register.
The man said he had faith in the court system despite some criticising the guilty verdict.
“I know there’s a lot of knockers out there who say ‘oh he’s a lovely guy’ … well he’s not. He’s a paedophile. It’s as simple as that. He committed a horrific crime against two young boys.”
“Im angry about that, but I have to live with it, and I’ve got try and live without anger.”
Greg Brown 12.35pm: ‘We need faster progress’
Bill Shorten says his thoughts are with the victims of child sex abuse after George Pell was sentenced to six years in prison.
The Opposition Leader said it took “courage and resilience” for a survivor of child sex abuse to seek justice.
“Survivors and victims who sought help were seldom believed,” Mr Shorten said.
“Instead, against the weight and power of both church and the state, they were marginalised, shamed and re-abused.
“For decades, institutions chose to cover for offenders and conceal their crimes because they valued their reputations more than the lives of children in their care.
“Last year, as a parliament and a nation we apologised for the abuse, the neglect, the wilful blindness, the cries for help that were heard and ignored.
“But saying sorry wasn’t the end of the road. The test is actions, not words. That’s why we need faster progress on national redress for survivors and why every institution needs to sign up, immediately.”
Lilly Vitorovich 12.18pm: Live broadcast unprecedented
Australia’s major television stations broadcast live the entire sentencing for more than an hour this morning as they suspended normal programming.
The unprecedented live coverage came with a warning that some of the content would be graphic.
Seven Network covered the entire sentencing live in every market, and through its broadcast video-on-demand streaming service, 7Plus.
“We were aware of some of the graphic detail and pointed that out in our lead in intros,” a Seven West Media spokesman said.
ABC News “carried the sentencing live and in full, without editing”, an ABC spokeswoman said. The channel aired a warning to viewers that there would be graphic content in the sentencing remarks of chief judge Peter Kidd, she said.
ABC’s primary channel aired a re-run of the Weekly with Charlie Pickering program.
Pell has been jailed for six years, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.
Nine, Ten, Sky News and Macquarie Radio weren’t immediately available to comment on their coverage.
Remy Varga 12.09pm: Richter leaves
Robert Richter has left court with a police escort as he was swarmed by a crowd of abuse survivors and media.
Advocates held signs and yelled “You’re a disgrace” and “dirty money” at the defence barrister.
Greg Brown 12.02pm: PM: support victims
Ahead of Pell’s sentencing, Scott Morrison called on Australians to provide support to victims of child sex abuse.
Addressing media in Melbourne, the Prime Minister labelled child sex abuse the “most abominable thing you would think could happen to an individual”.
“Today again there will be thousands of Australians all around the country who will be once again reminded of the terrible things that happened in their past, in terms of sexual abuse in institutions around the country,” Mr Morrison said.
“And that is, again, who my thoughts are with. I led the national apology to these victims and my thoughts are only with them. My thoughts are with the victims and more importantly they are with the survivors because all of these victims we are working to ensure that they be survivors.
“I ask Australians today to get around those who have been victims of child sex abuse and let them know that we know it happened, that we want to help you be stronger and survive what is the most abominable thing you would think could happen to an individual with the breach of trust.
“Those who broke that trust, it is up to them to restore it and do what is necessary to achieve that.”
David King 12.01pm: Kidd quotes
What Judge Peter Kidd said while sentencing Pell.
* “The acts were sexually graphic. Both victims were visibly and audibly distressed during this offending”
* “You were confident your victims would not complain. It is fanciful to suggest that you may not have fully appreciated this”
* “There is an added layer of degradation and humiliation that each of your victims must have felt in knowing that their abuse had been witnessed by the other”
”You had had ample time to reflect upon your previous abuse … despite this, you still indecently acted against (victim J), and did so with what I consider to be a degree of physical aggression and venom”
* I consider your moral culpability across both episodes to be high”
* “There was a clear relationship of trust with the victims, and you breached that trust and abused your position to facilitate this offending”
* “Your obvious status as Archbishop cast a powerful shadow over this offending” \
* “I would characterise these breaches and abuses as grave”
* “You continued to offend with callous indifference to the victim’s distress” *
“The offending which the jury has found you have engaged in was, on any view, breathtakingly arrogant”
* “There is no evidence of your remorse or contrition for me to act upon to reduce your sentence”
*
“On the one hand I must punish and denounce you for this appalling offending. Yet on the other hand, I am conscious of the heavy reality that I am about to sentence you, a man of advanced years, who has led an otherwise blameless life, to a significant period of imprisonment, which will account for a good portion of the balance of your life”
David King 12.00pm: ‘Victims sentenced to life’
Blue Knot foundation president Cathy Kezelman said: “Although this is a significant sentence, it is not as much as what we would’ve hoped. It’s profoundly disappointing for survivors whose own lives have been destroyed by the crime of child sexual abuse. It also makes a mockery of the concept of true accountability and is not a sentence commensurate with the crimes committed and the harm reaped.
“We must remember that victims are sentenced for life. He was not.”
“The Royal Commission showed Australia what needed to happen to stop victim-blaming and hold perpetrators and those complicit in covering up crimes to account. Today, this sentence does not seem to honour those tenets.
“Seeing a senior figure in the Catholic Church, previously one of the Pope’s right hand men, convicted, shows survivors that there is hope, and there can be justice.
But the sentence handed down today will be devastating to many. Instead of hope, many will feel despair. It is high time that sentences are informed by the destruction of victims’ lives, regardless of who the accused is.
“Nothing will ever compensate victims for the harm done to them when they are sexually abused as a child and in this case, one of the victims is dead.
“The courageous survivor who spoke out was heard and believed, and he told his truth in honour of his friend, who lost his life to heroin. Drug use is far too common among survivors who use it as a ‘coping strategy’ to numb their distress. There has been too much distress already.”
Remy Varga 11.45am: ‘No rest for me’
Viv Waller, the lawyer representing Victim J, the surviving Pell accuser, read a statement outside court on behalf of her client.
“It is hard for me to allow myself the gravity of this moment, “ she told reporters.
“The moment when the sentence is handed down. The moment when justice is done. It is hard for me, for the time being, to take comfort in this outcome.
“I appreciate that the Court has acknowledged what was inflicted upon me as a child. However, there is no rest for me.
“Everything is overshadowed by the forthcoming appeal.”
She went on: “I am aware of a lot of public comment by people who are critical of my evidence. Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, a few facts will always remain.
“I gave evidence for several days. I was cross-examined by Pell’s defence counsel. A jury has unanimously accepted the truth of my evidence. Pell chose not to give evidence. The
jury did not hear from him. He did not allow himself to be cross-examined. I have played my part as best I can. I took the difficult step of reporting to police about a high-profile person, and I stood up to give my evidence.”
“Being a witness in a criminal case has not been easy. I am doing my best to hold myself and my family together. I would like to thank the media for respecting my wish to keep my identity private and to keep my loved ones out of the spotlight.
“I am waiting for the outcome of the appeal like everybody else.”
Principal Solicitor Dr Vivian Waller - representing the victims in the Pell case - has read her client's statement following the sentencing of George Pell.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) March 13, 2019
'I respect what the judge said. It was meticulous and it was considered.'
MORE: https://t.co/cNQM6eXWyx #Newsday pic.twitter.com/7MAM4Dzlvi
11.40am: Decision to broadcast ‘absolutely right’
News Corp lawyer Justin Quill has pointed out that it was right to broadcast Pell’s sentence, despite the shamed cardinal’s lawyers arguing it would hurt his chance at appeal.
Mr Quill told Sky News that broadcasting Judge Kidd’s remarks has helped people on both sides of the issue to understand why Pell received the sentence of six years. The decision was “absolutely right,” he said.
Remy Varga 11.19am: Sentence ‘not enough’
Survivors cheered outside court as the sentence was announced.
But Rhonda Janetzki from CLAN said the prison term was insufficient. “Peoples lives were destroyed …” she said.
“A small dose of justice … but not enough”
Tessa Akerman 11.15am: Pell shows no emotion
There was silence in the courtroom as Pell stood for sentencing and everyone turned around to face him in the dock.
He stood straight with his hands clasped behind his back displaying no outward emotion.
The judge’s associate is now going through sex offender registration paperwork with him.
Pell bowed to the judge as he left the court.
The judge has now left the bench.
It’s over.
The next time Pell will be seen again is in June for the appeal application.
David King 11.12am: Breakdown of sentences
On charge 1, being the indecent act against R, I convict and sentence you to two years and six months imprisonment.
On charge 2, being the sexual penetration against J, I convict and sentence you to four years’ imprisonment.
On charge 3, being the indecent act against J, where you touched his genitals, I convict and sentence you to two years and six months’ imprisonment.
On charge 4, being the indecent act against J, where you touched your own genitals in the presence of J, I convict and sentence you to 15 months’ imprisonment.
On charge 5, being the indecent act against J during the second episode, I convict and sentence you to 18 months’ imprisonment.
Judge Kidd said: “I direct that the sentence of four years imposed on charge 2 is the base sentence.
“I further direct that 12 months of the sentence imposed on charge 1, four months of the sentence imposed on charge 3, two months of the sentence imposed on charge 4 and six months of the sentence imposed on charge 5 are to be served cumulatively upon charge 2 and upon each other.
“This means that I sentence you to a total effective sentence of six years imprisonment. I set a non-parole period of three years and eight months”.
.@AhronYoung breaks down the sentencing received by Cardinal George Pell on all five counts of child sexual assault, which totalled six years imprisonment with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) March 13, 2019
MORE: https://t.co/U4t6gfCwFP #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/ySexC0mzJ3
Tessa Akerman 11.09am: Pell jailed for six years
George Pell has been sentenced to a total of six years with a non parole period of three years eight months. The base sentence was of four years.
11.05am: DNA samples to be taken
Judge Kidd has warned Pell he will have to provide intimate DNA samples as he is a convicted sex offender and will be on the sex offender register for life.
Remy Varga 11.01am: Survivors, supporters clash outside court
Abuse survivors have clashed outside the court with George Pell’s supporters.
A woman here for the disgraced cardinal approached the survivors to heckle them about their signs.
Two of Pell’s supporters are praying silently beneath a bus stand.
Tessa Akerman 10.59am: Current, not maximum sentencing to be considered
Judge Kidd said there was a need for general deterrence, denunciation and just punishment in considering sentencing.
He said each charge had a maximum penalty of 10 years however he needed to look at sentencing practices now and sentencing practices at the time of the offending.
Judge Kidd said he was prepared to accept the principal sentencing practices were lower in 1996 but there was now greater understanding of child sexual abuse.
He said Pell would be sentenced as a serious sexual offender for charges 3, 4 and 5 and he would be registered as a sex offender.
Tessa Akerman 10.51am: Pell ‘at risk of threat’
Judge Kidd has said he is satisfied Pell presents no risk of reoffending, given his age, good character and notoriety.
Looking at Pell’s experience in custody Judge Kidd said he thought Pell’s experience was somewhat unique with safety concerns.
He said Pell was considered at “immediate risk of serious threat”.
David King 10.46am: ‘You have reformed’
Judge Kidd notes that Pell has not offended again since the offences for which he was convicted.
“The lengthy period without offending since these matters supports my conclusion that you have effectively reformed and, as I have said, there are other matters, such as your advanced
years, which persuade me that you are not a risk to the community. “
David King 10.43am: ‘You may not live to be released’
Judge Kidd says he is “conscious that the term of imprisonment, which I am about to impose upon you, carries with it a real, as distinct from theoretical, possibility that you may not live to be released from prison. Facing jail at your age in these circumstances must be an awful state of affairs for you. “
Judge Peter Kidd at the sentencing of George Pell: The defence submitted in both cases you were not acting rationally. I reject this. There is no evidence that supports that your mental state was impaired or diminished at the time.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) March 12, 2019
MORE: https://t.co/ykweMeNddk #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/Z0JLmcFU1v
David King 10.41am: ‘Isolated offending’
Judge Kidd continues: “I sentence you upon the basis that these episodes, viewed together, constitute isolated offending. I make substantial allowance for your good character and otherwise blameless life.”
David King 10.40am: ‘Staggering arrogance’
“In my view, your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance.
“I consider in particular that the sexual penetration offence is very clearly a serious example of that offence and that the indecent acts encompassed by charges one and three are also serious examples of that offence. Viewed overall, I consider your moral culpability across both episodes to be high.
“I reject the submission of your counsel that the offending in the first episode, or the sexual penetration offence was at, or towards, the lower end of the spectrum of seriousness. In my view, it does not even approach low-end offending.
Judge Peter Kidd sentencing Cardinal George Pell: The brazenness of your conduct is indicative of your sense of authority and power in relation to the victims.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) March 12, 2019
MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/8dcsELmZ6B
10.38am: ‘No remorse’
Judge Kidd has described Pell’s moral culpability as high and pointed out he has shown no remorse or regret for his crimes which he could consider while sentencing.
However he also accepts that since committing the crimes for which he was convicted, Pell has not offended again.
Tessa Akerman 10.35am: Pell ‘used your position’ to offend
Judge Kidd has said there was a “clear relationship of trust” between the victims and Pell.
“You used your position to facilitate that offending,” Judge Kidd said.
He said Pell was profoundly revered and a pillar of the St Patrick’s community.
He said Pell did think before offending and his brazenness in the priests’ sacristy showed his sense of authority.
“(There was a) degree of confidence the victims would not complain immediately or by running out at a later stage.”
Remy Varga 10.29am: Survivor distraught
A survivor of child sexual abuse sits with his head bowed in front of a livestream of Pell’s sentencing while dozens of reporters, photographers and camera men surround him.
Tessa Akerman 10.26am: Ample opportunity to stop
Judge Kidd said the offending was sustained with purposeful dialogue.
“At some point during the episode you even told your victims to be quiet because they were crying.”
Judge Kidd said Pell had ample opportunity to reflect and stop.
He said Pell was confident his victims would not complain and described the actions in a place where others may walk in as “breathtakingly arrogant”.
“You may have thought you could control the situation by reason of your authority as archbishop”.
Tessa Akerman 10.18am: Pell stares straight ahead
Pell is looking straight ahead at the judge and showing no emotion.
Judge Kidd has now moved on to the assessment of the gravity of Pell’s “brazen and forcible”offending against the boys.
He described the conduct against R as “nasty”.
“(The boys experienced) an added layer of degradation and humiliation knowing the abuse was witnessed by the other,” he said.
Judge Kidd described the sexual penetration of J as “an act of violence”.
He adds that had it been pre-planned or involved grooming, it would have been more serious.
Tessa Akerman 10.14am: Victim ‘was terrified’
Judge Kidd has outlined the offending including an indecent act with R.
He said Pell pulled out his penis and placed R’s head and face in the proximity of his genital region.
“J saw R’s face, R was terrified,” Judge Kidd said.
Judge Kidd said the boys whimpered and were told to be quiet.
He then detailed the sexual penetration of J and said the offending had a profound impact on him.
Tessa Akerman 10.10am: ‘Sentence no vindication of victims’ trauma’
Judge Kidd has addressed survivors of abuse.
“This sentence is not and cannot be a vindication of your trauma,” he said.
He said justice can only come through the court of law and to punish Pell for other crimes would be contrary to the rule of law.
“It would not be justice at all,” he said.
Judge Kidd is now outlining the offending against the choristers at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
He has called the choristers J and R.
Remy Varga 10.08am: ‘Hope for children’
Child sex abuse survivor Robert House has brought a painting of Cardinal George Pell as Satan.
“It’s basically playing on the idea of Satan and the idea the devil made them do it,” he said.
“They were human beings and they did it themselves, they did it freely.”
“And now they’re paying the price for it, and they deserve to. This is a worldwide thing.”
Mr House said he joined CLAN after he attempted to take his own life after he was abused in an orphanage as a child.
“For me today is twofold … It brings hope to all Australian children that this activity can’t continue. That’s mostly why I picked up the fight, for others,” he said.
“But the second thing is I think it’s the rise of the historical child, the child is finally being heard, believed and that’s really exciting.
“We can treat our little ones better and if we treat them better we have a well society.
“And now they’re paying the price for it, and they deserve to. This is a worldwide thing.”
Tessa Akerman 10.05am: ‘No scapegoat for Catholic Church’
Judge Kidd has acknowledged he is sentencing Pell in a unique context.
“You are a figure of significant interest to those of the Catholic faith and Australia more generally. “
He said Pell was a “publicly vilified figure” in some sections of the community.
Judge Kidd went on to say Pell is to be punished only for wrongdoing he was convicted of and without fear or favour. “You are not to be made a scapegoat for any failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church.”
Tessa Akerman 10.00am: Pell in dock
The tipstaff has requested silence during the sentencing
Pell has entered the dock. He’s leaning on his cane and wearing a black open necked shirt with a grey jacket but no dog collar.
Four security guards are with him.
Judge Kidd has now entered and we’re off.
Tessa Akerman 9.57am: Richter in court
Cardinal Pell’s legal team of Robert Richter QC, Ruth Shann and solicitor Paul Galbally have now arrived in court.
Court staff are trying to fit extra chairs in the packed room.
Judge Kidd’s associate is filling up his water glass on the bench and the courtroom is filled with soft murmurs as we wait for Pell to be brought up from the court cells and into the dock.
It will be the first time Pell has been seen in two weeks and sketch artists are eager to capture the affect prison has had on the 77-year-old.
Tessa Akerman 9.48am: Prosecution team arrives
The prosecution team led by Mark Gibson SC has arrived in courtroom 3.3.
People are being directed to the overflow courtroom with only media allowed to stand in the main courtroom that has about 150 people seated.
The ABC camera is set up in the jury box ready to film Chief Judge Peter Kidd’s delivery of the sentence.
John Ferguson 9.40am: Standing room only
Courtroom 3.3 is full. The court has added extra seats and it is
standing room only. There will be 200 people in the court once the
good judge arrives.
The courtroom is now open and it’s already standing room only to see the sentencing at 10am. #cardinalpell
— Lucie Morris-Marr (@luciemorrismarr) March 12, 2019
Remy Varga 9.20am: Richter arrives
Robert Richter QC has arrived at Melbourne’s County Court.
The defence barrister represented Pell during the trial and drew widespread condemnation for referring to the child sex abuse crimes for which the cardinal has been convicted as “plain vanilla sex”. Mr Richter subsequently apologised.
He did not speak to media.
Robert Richter QC arrives at County Court ahead of George Pell’s sentence for sexually abusing two teenage boys @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/C0cRzlkwf1
— Kiara Parker (@Kiara_Parker_) March 12, 2019
Remy Varga 9.10am: ‘Hope it gives survivors strength’
Rhonda Janetzki, from the Care Leavers Australasia network, said she had mixed emotions about today.
“I’m sad for all those people who have died or committed suicide because they weren’t believed,” she said.
“I’m also pleased the courts and people are starting to believe that these crimes happened to children and we’re finally starting to see some justice.”
Ms Janetzki said she hoped today would give others the strength to come forward.
“I hope it gives the survivors who are still hiding in shame … it wasn’t their fault, and they find the strength to come forward, to contact someone and have the strength to tell their stories.”
John Ferguson 8.22am: Will Pell apply for bail?
It will be interesting to see if George Pell applies for bail in the Supreme Court. He dropped his application for bail late last month, so the best guess is no. But if it were me, I’d be doing whatever I could to keep out of jail.
Tessa Akerman 8.15am: ‘Important day in Australian history’
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) chief executive Leonie Sheedy said she was hoping victims get justice and that George Pell gets an appropriate sentence for the crimes he committed on the boys.
“I’m hoping he gets treated like every other paedophile in this state,” she said.
“I’m here for my brother and all the other dead care leavers who never got justice.”
She said she was glad that regardless of Pell’s power, prestige and education, he was treated the same in the justice system.
Ms Sheedy said the sentencing will bring mixed feelings for many survivors.
“For some people it will be cathartic. I think it’s important to witness this important day in Australian history and world history … for me the powerful people are less powerful.”
Tessa Akerman 8am: Reporters scramble for seats
The County Court opens shortly and there is a large media pack outside to capture reactions of abuse survivors and supporters to the sentence.
Dozens of reporters have turned up early in hopes of getting a seat in the main courtroom where they can watch Pell’s reactions.
Those in the overflow courtroom or watching on television will only be able to see Chief Judge Peter Kidd.
John Ferguson 7.38am: Media gather for sentencing
It’s just past 7.30am and media is outnumbering protesters by about two to one. That said, there are probably only about 20 media and 10 protesters. There are expected to be hundreds trying to get into the court.
John Ferguson 7.10am: Court of Appeal awaits
This will be a very difficult day for a lot of people. For many in the survivor community it will trigger memories of their past. For many in the Catholic community it will mark the worst day in the faith’s shocking abuse history.
The church will have little option but to look to the appeal — but for many, that won’t be good enough. The Vatican will wait for the Court of Appeal to rule before determining whether to laicise Pell.
The church will be hoping Pell is acquitted like retired archbishop Philip Wilson.
Tessa Akerman 6.45am: ‘For some, no sentence will be long enough’
Cardinal George Pell’s journey through the judicial process has been closely followed by millions including abuse survivors who see the case as representative of their own personal struggle for justice.
Blue Knot Foundation president Cathy Kezelman said the sentencing would be an immensely challenging and traumatic time for many survivors.
“Many survivors harmed within the church and some additional survivors who believe they were harmed by or under the responsibility of Cardinal Pell felt they were denied their rights to witness this justice process, as a result of the requisite suppression order,” she said.
Dr Kezelman said the sentence would be extremely polarising: “for some, no sentence will be long enough.”
“Others, still reeling from the guilty verdicts will be outraged if a custodial sentence is handed down at all,” she said.
She said it was vital for survivors to feel safe, as grounded as possible and seek support if needed to get them through the public whirlwind surrounding the high-profile case.
Dr Kezelman said she hoped Pell’s sentencing would herald a fundamental change in the Catholic Church and other institutions.
“It needs to be a time for zero tolerance to abuse, and survivor respect, support and justice.”
Tessa Akerman 6.30am: Where to get help if you need it
Sex abuse survivors are being urged to contact the Victorian Government’s Victims of Crime Helpline as the coverage of George Pell’s trial and sentencing inspires more victims to come forward.
The Justice Department yesterday emailed media outlets promoting the service which is part of the government’s Victim Support Agency and provides victims with free information, advice and referrals to specialist support services.
The helpline can assist with:
• Information about victims’ rights and entitlements.
• Advice about reporting a crime.
• Connections to other services, such as counselling, medical, and legal services.
• Help to navigate the criminal justice system, including after the offender is in jail.
• Help applying for compensation and financial assistance.
The Victims of Crime Helpline is contactable daily from 8am to 11pm on 1800 819 817.
For more information on the helpline, visit:
https://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/the-crime/get-help
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