Cardinal George Pell was sentenced to six years in prison on Wednesday for sexually abusing two choirboys between 1996 and 1997. The convicted paedophile was given his sentence after a lengthy address from Chief Judge Peter Kidd, who listed out Pell’s offences during a verdict that was livestreamed on television and social media.
[jwplayer l7hWZcMN]
Pell’s sentence is the result of one count of sexually penetrating a child under the age of 16 and four counts of committing an indecent act with or in the presence of a child.
Judge Kidd. Demolition of Pell in 69 minutes. Erudite, forensic, dispassionate, clinical. Especially on trust/ duty of care. Six years with 3.8 minimum. Judge saw right through him. And Pell is on the child sex offender register for life. Passport ban applies. No more Rome.
— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) March 13, 2019
Before announcing his sentencing, Judge Kidd, who said he had chosen to broadcast the sentencing live, laid out an intricate and thorough examination of his reasonings.
This is extraordinarily powerful work by Chief Judge Kidd. His examination of every detail and motivation is amazing. #Pell
— Rhys Muldoon (@rhysam) March 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/Peter_Fox59/status/1105617996309979136
Watching Justice Kidd give his reasoning is fascinating, it would be a service for more significant verdicts to be broadcast in this format. #pellsentencing
— michelle griffin (@michellegriff) March 12, 2019
Many were shocked by the verdict, believing it to be too short a sentence. Some referenced other, lengthier sentences handed out to people charged with other crimes.
6 years for ruining lives is not enough. Hell awaits you, #GeorgePell, may you rot for eternity
— naama (@derridalicious) March 13, 2019
So, basically, less than two years per life ruined. Wow. #pellsentencing
— Emmee (@blueemmee) March 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/Prisonblogger/status/1105624616100290560
Abuse survivors say a “small amount of justice” has been served with the #pellsentencing.
“At least he’s in jail,” one says, as the rest of the group cheers.
— Shalailah Medhora (@shalailah) March 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/hemantmehta/status/1105624405697351681
https://twitter.com/PSDontTellMum/status/1105622469375750145
https://twitter.com/SquigglyRick/status/1105625313013186560
https://twitter.com/_AmyGray_/status/1105606919392133120
Outside court, child abuse victim Michael Advocate told 10 News the sentence was “absolutely outrageous.”
“Every victim is sentenced to a lifetime of pain and suffering, we get a lifetime sentence. For their outrageous short-term gratification, they destroy us for life,” he said.
“He gets three years and eight months. I’m a typical victim, I’ve got 41 years to date. My life is just a disaster, every other victim I speak to is a disaster. How much do we have to suffer, how insulted do we have to be, before real justice occurs?”
Following the sentencing Pell registered as a sex offender, a list he will now be on for life. His passport will be banned and he will no longer be able to travel.
Cardinal Pell is a registered sex offender for life
— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) March 13, 2019
If you would like to talk to a counsellor about rape, sexual assault or domestic violence, please contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
