Paedophile Priest Gerald Ridsdale Admits New Child Sex Offences

By Steve Butcher
The Age
November 18, 2013

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/paedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-admits-new-child-sex-offences-20131118-2xq2e.html

Gerald Ridsdale outside court at an earlier hearing.

One of Australia's worst paedophile former priests has admitted to multiple new offences against 14 victims.

Gerald Ridsdale on Monday pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to the crimes committed in the 1960s, 1970s and in 1980.

He had been eligible for parole last June after serving a long prison sentence for offences against 40 children between 1961 and 1987.

Ridsdale, 79, pleaded guilty to 30 charges, mostly indecent assault, against 14 victims which included three offences against a female.

More than 50 charges were struck out by magistrate Ian Alger.

When Ridsdale appeared from a prison via video-link on Monday for a special mention, Mr Alger asked him if he understood that the matter had "resolved" and would proceed directly to the County Court and he replied: "Yes, that's right, sir."

The case then proceeded as a committal mention.

Prosecutor Nadia Deltondo listed each of the charges that were proceeding, which included single counts of buggery and the carnal knowledge of a girl, and confirmed those that would not be proceeding.

Defence lawyer Michael de Young said he had no submissions to make and would not call any evidence.

Mr Alger found there was evidence of sufficient weight for Ridsdale to be committed to the County Court and asked him if he pleaded guilty, not guilty or wished to reserve his plea.

After a pause, Ridsdale replied: "I really wasn't prepared for this.

"I haven't spoken to my solicitor about what I'm supposed to do today."

After another pause, he said: "Your Honour, I plead guilty ... Your Honour I plead guilty. I plead guilty, yes."

Mr de Young explained to the court that the hearing had been called on at short notice and there had been breakdown in communication with his client.

Mr Alger told Ridsdale an arraignment hearing would happen on Wednesday and that he would attend that rather than appear on a video-link.