(AUSTRALIA)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC [Sydney, Australia]
August 15, 2023
By Laura Mayers, ABC Ballarat
Paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale sentenced to eighth jail term over historic abuse
One of Australia’s most notorious paedophiles, Gerald Ridsdale, has been sentenced for the eighth time over historical sex offences.
Key points:
- Ridsdale will now be eligible for parole in 2028, four years ahead of the expiry of his total prison term
- The court heard that the victim-survivor felt the abuse cost him years of his life
- Ridsdale has been in custody since 1994 and the court was told he may not have long to live
This morning’s sentencing over the 192nd charge faced by Ridsdale related to the former priest’s 72nd known victim-survivor.
In June this year the 89-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault of a minor in the 1980s.
Today Ballarat Magistrates’ Court heard Ridsdale had attempted to soothe the 13-year-old boy by saying, “It’s alright”, before molesting him.
Ridsdale was acting as a counsellor for the teenager at the time.
Twelve months were added to Ridsdale’s 36-year term, extending his earliest possible release date to April 2028.
‘Out of my control’
The victim-survivor came forward in 2022 and told police he was assaulted at St Brigid’s College in Horsham by the then-assistant priest.
The offending occurred between 1987 and 1988.
A statement detailing the victim-survivor’s hurt, fear, and sense of betrayal was read in court today.
“I felt like everything was out of my control,” the victim impact statement said.
“I became a very violent kid.
“I feel I’ve lost 10 years of my life to this and I know I can never get them back.”
Death looms: Judge
Police charged Ridsdale with indecent assault of a minor last year.
The charge was laid after Ridsdale, who was born in Ballarat, was sentenced over the sexual abuse of two boys in Mortlake in the 1980s.
Today the prolific paedophile appeared via video link from St John’s at Port Phillip prison, bedridden following a fall last year.
In sentencing, Magistrate Hugh Radford said Ridsdale was in chronic pain, had atrophying muscles, weakness of limbs, and was likely go into palliative care.
“You knew what you were doing was very harmful,” Magistrate Radford said.
“But you knew no boundaries or had no sense of restraint.
“The church cannot escape criticism in face of its lack of action … and constant moving of you from parish to parish.”
Ridsdale’s total sentence is due to expire in September 2034.
If he survives to see the day, he will be 100 years old.