'No special treatment': Court confirms Cardinal George Pell will face justice next to bikies and murderers when he fights sex charges flanked by Australia's top defence lawyer

By Sam Duncan
Daily Mail
July 14, 2017

https://goo.gl/HDLK5K

Court officials have confirmed that Cardinal George Pell (pictured) will receive no special treatment during his trial

Cardinal Pell will appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court (pictured) on July 26 to face multiple historical sex charges

Cardinal Pell has hired top lawyer Robert Richter (pictured, right), QC, famous for representing underworld figure Mick Gatto

Cardinal Pell (pictured, centre) as he arrived in Sydney earlier this week on a flight from Singapore

Richter made a name for himself representing high-profile defendant such as Mick Gatto

Cardinal Pell (pictured, centre) has denied the charges against him, saying he is looking forward to his day in court

The Vatican's third most powerful figure will receive no special treatment when he appears in court to face multiple historical sex charges.

There have been fears for the safety of Australia's most powerful Catholic at his court appearance on July 26, as sexual abuse survivors are expected to attend. 

Melbourne Magistrates Court appears unconcerned, and stated that Cardinal George Pell's trial will be 'business as usual.'

Court spokeswoman Clare Hogarth-Angus said: 'This may change nearer the time, however currently there are no special plans in place, the Herald Sun reported. 

The lack of special treatment also means that the former Archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne will be rubbing shoulders with hardened criminals as he lines up in court. 

The potential exposure to bikies and murderers, along with the expected presence of sexual abuse survivors at the trial, has worried the Catholic Church and they hold grave concerns for the top cleric's safety.

The news comes as Cardinal Pell prepares to travel to Melbourne, where a media frenzy awaits. 

Cardinal Pell will be represented by one of Australia's top lawyers, 71-year-old Robert Richter, QC, who made a name for himself defending underworld figure Mick Gatto.

Richter has been described as the 'Rolls-Royce of criminal defence lawyers,' and is believed to be in line to make up to $11,000 a day defending Pell.

Cardinal Pell is back in Australia after being charged with multiple historical sex offenses.

He has vehemently denied the allegations, saying that he is looking forward to his day in court.

'I'm innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me,' he said in a press conference.

'Court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work.'