Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric to face sex charges, was sentenced in an Australian court to 6 years in prison. Photo / AP
Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric to face sex charges, was sentenced in an Australian court to 6 years in prison. Photo / AP
Judge Peter Kidd has revealed the three key factors he considered when sentencing Cardinal George Pell to six years in prison for sexually abusing two 13-year-old boys at St Patrick's Cathedral in 1996.
In his hour-long sentencing, Judge Kidd first read out harrowing details of the crimes committed by the77-year-old.
When outlining Pell's case for retribution, the judge noted while there was "no evidence of his remorse", the cardinal had "experienced an exceptional career within the Catholic Church".
Here are the three key factors Judge Kidd noted when arriving at the sentence.
Judge Kill said Pell's age and health status had particularly affected the his decision.
"Your age is a significant factor in my sentencing exercise," he said.
"As I have indicated before, you are now in your late 70s. It is relevant in a number of ways.
"Of some real importance in my sentencing exercise is the fact that each year you spend in custody will represent a substantial portion of your remaining life expectancy.
"While it is a matter of speculation as to how long you will live, the fact is that you are of advanced years and are entering the last phase of your life.
"Like anyone in their late 70s, your health will decline in time.
"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."
Chief Judge Peter Kidd is seen on a TV monitor outside Melbourne County Court as he sentences Cardinal George Pell. Photo / Getty Images
He noted Pell already had "some significant enough health issues", including hypertension and congestive heart failure.
"Facing jail at your age in these circumstances must be an awful state of affairs for you," the judge said.
The court imposed a non-parole period of three years and eight months.
"I will impose a shorter non-parole period than I otherwise would have been inclined to impose, in recognition in particular of your age, so as to increase the prospect of your living out the last part of your life in the community," Judge Kidd said.
2. Likelihood of reoffending
Another contributing factor was Pell's risk of reoffending, which the Judge deemed negligible. He said Pell's age, his "otherwise good character" and the fact he has not been convicted of such an offence in the 22 years after his crime factored into his decision.
However, he acknowledged for a second time that Pell had "shown no remorse or insight into your offending" and that there remained no explanation for it.
Based on this, the prosecution argued there was still a limited risk of reoffending, but the judge did not accept this.
"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," Judge Kidd said.
He also acknowledged the resumption of Pell's earlier life in the aftermath of this case was "now impossible".
In his final remarks, Judge Kidd said:
"Finally, sentencing is often simplistically portrayed by some in the public sphere as being an easy and uncomplicated task. From where I sit today, the exercise is far from an easy one. And it is certainly not simple.
"I am required to weigh all of the relevant matters in this case and then reach a conclusion as to a just and appropriate penalty that reflects all of the circumstances of your case, Cardinal Pell. It is not a mathematical exercise.
"This balancing exercise is inevitably unique to the specific facts and circumstances of your case."
Judge Kidd noted Pell had no prior convictions and had not committed other sexual offences since this offending.
He added that character references submitted to the court — including one written by former prime minister John Howard — described Pell as a "compassionate" and "generous" person.
Judge Kidd also took into account the delay in the case, since the abuse occurred 22 years ago.
Acknowledging that victims of sexual abuse often did not come forward for many years, the judge said the delay had allowed Pell to lead an "otherwise blameless life".
World reacts with outrage to sentence
As Judge Kidd concluded his hour-long sentencing, people tuning in expressed their fury with the final verdict.
The Project's Lisa Wilkinson was among the prominent voices slamming the sentence, questioning the message it sends to survivors of sexual abuse:
What message does this #Pell sentence send to abusers? Or to survivors of sexual abuse who are considering coming forward? A case of the more famous you are, and the longer you can get away with your crimes before you are brought to justice, the lighter your sentence will be?
Cardinal George Pell is sentenced to six years in prison. 6 years?! That's a joke right? Watch it become a suspended sentence, always protecting the pedophile never the victims #whatajoke#pigpell
Journalists and TV networks from across the globe, protesters and survivors of sexual abuse were outside Melbourne's County Court as Judge Peter Kidd handed down his six-year prison sentence.
Social media users similarly expressed their disgust as they listened to the judge's harrowing description of Pell's crimes, with some saying the sentencing was so graphic they had to mute the sound at times.
Watching to Pell's sentencing. How the judge can speak his ruling through - repeating the crimes in detail - without puking is beyond me. Have had to turn off the sound at times. #CardinalPell
