Cardinal George Pell to walk free after High Court overturns conviction

·

Cardinal George Pell will be released from prison after the High Court overturned his conviction for historic child sex offences.

Chief Justice Kiefel handed down the ruling on behalf of the full bench to the near-empty High Court, and unanimously found Pell’s conviction for child sex abuse should be overturned and he should immediately be released from prison.

“The High Court found that the jury, acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted, and ordered that the convictions be quashed and the verdicts of acquittal be entered in their places,” a summary of their decision, handed down today, read.

Cardinal Pell, 78, had been serving a six-year jail sentence after he was convicted in 2018 of abusing two choirboys in the 1990s, when he was the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Today’s decision means Australia’s most senior Catholic will be released from Barwon Prison later this afternoon.

More to come.

Full statement from the High Court of Australia:

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Federation of Greek Elderly Citizens Clubs of Victoria holds Annual General Meeting

The Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne & Victoria held its Annual General Meeting on November 8.

Baba’s Place in Marrickville wins Good Food Guide Trailblazer Award

Baba’s Place in Marrickville, Sydney's inner west, has won the 'Bill Granger Trailblazer Award' at the Good Food Guide 2025 Awards.

Peter Yiannoudes: Remembering a visionary Cypriot Australian

The passing of Panagiotis (Peter) Yiannoudes marks the fulfilment of the Last Oracle of Apollo's high priestess.

Woman found guilty of murdering her partner’s dad Kon Kritikos

Danielle Lee Birchall has been found guilty of murder after she "savagely" beat her partner's 87-year-old father Kon Kritikos to death.

WA marks OXI Day in presence of new Consul-Designate of Greece

On Saturday, November 9, Greeks in Western Australia gathered to commemorate the Greek National Day, known as "OXI Day."

You May Also Like

Australia’s Princess Mary officially crowned Queen of Denmark

Prince Frederik X and Australian-born Princess Mary have been proclaimed King and Queen of Denmark on Sunday.

Top 7 tips on how to stay safe during a flash flood

Here’s some advice from two emergency professionals on what to do when you see flood waters coming right at you.

Emotional victory for Thanasi Kokkinakis as he prepares to face Tsitsipas in second round

Thanasi Kokkinakis couldn't help but break into tears after beating Kwon Soon-woo 6-4 6-1 6-1, claiming his first Australian Open win since 2015.