Paedophile Priest Ridsdale ‘happy’ Some Victims Have Been Paid out

By Tessa Akerman
The Australian
October 11, 2018

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/paedophile-priest-ridsdale-happy-some-victims-have-been-paid-out/news-story/2791d0345603616c7ee9262aa7ee4f7

Australia’s most notorious pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale has told a court he is “happy” that seven of his victims have been compensated.

Twelve of his victims had sought an order from the County Court which would allow them to seek compensation directly from Ridsdale but the court today heard seven of the victims had reached external settlements and were withdrawing their claims.

“I’m happy to know that these people have received compensation,” Ridsdale said via videolink with a mobility walker next to him.

“And I’m happy to know that they have withdrawn or been withdrawn from the list.

“I certainly wouldn’t be seeking any costs from them.”

Barristers for the remaining victims asked Chief Judge Peter Kidd to adjourn the remaining applications sine die, with no fixed return date, with Ridsdale supporting the motion.

“As your honour would know, we’ve been through this before with other applicants and their cases have been adjourned before six months and then six months until the matter has been settled,” Ridsdale said.

Judge Kidd however adjourned the case until April next year.