George Pell sentenced to six years in jail for sexually abusing two choirboys

In sentencing, Chief Justice Peter Kidd said George Pell should not be considered a "scapegoat" for broader failings of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric to face sex charges, arrives at an Australian court on Monday, March 5, 2018. Source: AP

Australian Cardinal George Pell has been sentenced to 6 years in jail with a non-parole period of three years and eight months for sexually abusing two teenage boys in 1996.

In Melbourne's County court on Wednesday, Chief Judge Peter Kidd handed down the sentence, taking into account Pell's age and health, the severity of the crimes, the relationship of trust between Pell and the victims and the widespread publicity of the case.

Due to Pell's age, Judge Kidd said he imposed a shorter non-parole period than usual "to increase the prospect of you living out the last part of your life in the community."

"You are one of the most senior figures within the Catholic Church globally. You remain a cardinal of the Catholic Church. You are a figure of significant interest to those of the Catholic faith, and to those throughout Australia more generally," Judge Kidd said. 

"As I directed the jury who convicted you in this trial, you are not to be made a scapegoat for any failings, or perceived failings of the Catholic Church."

During sentencing, Judge Kidd addressed clerical or institutional sexual abuse survivors in the courtroom and beyond and said the sentencing of Pell was not "vindication" of their trauma.

"Cardinal Pell has not been convicted of any wrongs committed against you," he said. 

Pell, 77, maintains his innocence and intends to challenge the conviction in the Court of Appeal, which will be heard in June.

The sentencing comes three months after he was convicted of one charge of sexually penetrating a child and four of committing indecent acts with a child, for sexually assaulting two 13-year-old boys after a Sunday mass at Melbourne's St Patrick's Church in December 1996 and assaulting one of the boys a second time two months later.

Each offence carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence.

Pell, who was until late-February the Vatican's treasurer, is the highest-ranking Catholic to be convicted of child sexual abuse.

Judge Kidd rejected the defense's argument that the Pell was not acting rationally during the offending, stating the "decision to offend was a reasoned, albeit perverted, one".

"In my view, your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance," he said, later in the sentencing. 

Due to the massive interest in the case, the Chief Judge gave permission for the hearing to be broadcast live.