Pell fronts Melbourne court

Cardinal George Pell’s first court appearance lasted only minutes yesterday and his barrister said he would plead not guilty to sexual offence charges.

CARDINAL George Pell’s first court appearance lasted only minutes under the intense glare of the world’s media, signalling the start of a lengthy legal fight by the highest ranking Catholic official to be charged with sexual abuse.

The third most senior Vatican official did not have to be at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for the brief administrative hearing, nor again profess his innocence, but chose to do both.

High-profile barrister Robert Richter QC noted Pell did not have to enter a plea at this early stage but said he would plead not guilty to multiple historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants.

“For the avoidance of doubt and because of the interest, might I indicate that Cardinal Pell will plead not guilty to all the charges and will maintain his presumed innocence that he has,” Mr Richter told a packed courtroom.

Pell entered the court as he left it a short time later: shepherded by a ring of police officers, their arms linked, in an attempt to keep a 100-strong media contingent at bay as he walked the short distance to and from Mr Richter’s office.

Several photographers were knocked over as they climbed the steps to the court building. The media crush was even more intense as the 76-yearold departed with police officers shouting at journalists and cameramen to move away.

Pell, wearing black clerical attire, did not speak during the hearing and made no comment outside the court.

The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest did nod his head to acknowledge four supporters who said “God bless you” as he passed them.

The filing hearing was over in about six-and-a-half minutes, setting October 6 as the date for the committal mention that marks the next stage of the court process.