AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
May 2, 2016
Emma Partridge
Court Reporter
Victims stood and clapped as one of the most notorious paedophile priests in NSW was sentenced to 29 years’ jail after committing 62 acts of child sex abuse in regional NSW.
Former Catholic priest John Joseph Farrell, 62, sexually abused nine young altar boys and three girls between 1979 and 1988 in Moree, Armidale and Tamworth.
Farrell, also known as “Father F”, committed 27 acts of sexual assault, 48 acts of indecent assault and four acts of indecency.
The “predatory” former priest was sentenced to a maximum of 29 years but a minimum of 18 years at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Monday.
He closed his eyes and showed no emotion during the three hour sentencing.
One of the people who clapped and cried was victim Mark Boughton and his wife, Belinda.
Outside court he said he hoped the outcome would allow himself and other victims to “have a life”.
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