Gerald Ridsdale, Former Catholic Priest, Faces Court over Historical Sexual Abuse Charges

By Emma Younger
ABC News
January 20, 2017

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-20/gerald-ridsdale-faces-court-over-historical-sexual-abuse-charges/8197486

PHOTO: Gerard Ridsdale is facing charges including rape, buggery and indecent assault. (Supplied)

Former Catholic priest Gerard Ridsdale has faced court via video link from prison charged with numerous historical sexual abuse offences against 11 alleged victims.

The 82-year-old is facing 36 charges including rape, buggery, indecent assault and assault.

Police allege he committed the crimes against girls and boys between 1961 and 1988 in numerous locations across western Victoria.

They include Ballarat, a location between Ocean Grove and Wendouree West, Merbein, Edenhope, Riverside, a location between Apsley and Edenhope, Mortlake and Quantong.

Ridsdale faced court from a correctional facility where he is serving a sentence for separate offending.

The former priest was charged late last year by the Sano Taskforce, which investigates historical and new allegations of child sex abuse involving religious and non-government organisations.

He will appear in court via video link on March 10.