"It is hard for me to allow myself to feel the gravity of this moment. The moment when the sentence is handed down. The moment when justice is done.

"It is hard for me, for the time being, to take comfort in this outcome.

"I appreciate that the court has acknowledged what was inflicted upon me as a child, however there is no rest for me."

Prosecutor Mark Gibson SC did not speak to the media as he left court, however he did appear to be happy with the outcome as he brushed away questions.

When the detectives who led the investigation left court they were greeted with the words: “Three cheers for Victoria Police, hip hip hooray.”

Upon delivering his sentence, Chief Judge Kidd asked George Pell to sign the sex offenders register.

Pell did so quietly with the assistance of a clerk.

Tears could be heard in the back row of the court room as Pell's tally of prison sentences was read out.

Pell bowed to the judge and exited the courtroom at 11.12am.

Chief Judge Kidd said he imposed a shorter non-parole period than otherwise due to Pell’s age in order to “increase prospect of you living out the last part of your life in the community".

Sentencing Pell is “certainly not simple”, says Chief Judge Kidd, who said he needed to take into consideration just punishment as well as Pell's personal circumstances and potential life in prison.

George Pell stood with arms behind his back as the judge read out the sentence and did not react.

One of his supporters put a hand to her face and cried when the sentence was read out, while another woman consoled her.

The court room was quiet throughout the hour-long sentence, including as Judge Kidd announced the jail term, and almost everyone in the room turned and watched Pell in the dock.

Pell used his walking stick to leave the dock under the escort of four prison guards. No one said anything and he did not acknowledge anyone.

There was a cheer outside court from abuse survivor advocates as George Pell was sentenced.

But members of the Care Leavers Australasia Network said the jail term was too light.
“He destroyed lives,” said one.
“A small dose of justice (has been served)...At least he’s in jail, at least he didn’t get off."
Another said: “Australian children are safer today.”

George Pell has been sentenced to six years' jail, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.

He can apply for parole in October 2022.

Chief Judge Kidd acknowledged George Pell’s sentence would have been lower at the time of offending, but says he needs to take into account the current understandings of the issue of child sex abuse.

He says he must technically have regard of “protection of the community from you”, however he believes Pell does not pose this risk.

Pell will be a “serious sexual offender” for life, says Chief Judge Kidd.

Chief Judge Kidd is going through the aims of sentencing: general deterrence, denunciation and just punishment.

He says these aims “loom large” when considering his sentence, particularly given the “blight” of sexual abuse of children in society.

He says the need for general deterrence in Pell’s case is still strong despite his lack of other offending.

Deterring others from sexual offending was also an important principle.

Chief Judge Kidd is defending his decision to live stream today’s hearing.

He says reporting of his remarks would have been heavily reported no matter what.

“It would not materially change the level of coverage.”

“Ongoing notoriety will continue to be exacerbated by the deluge in publicity following my sentence … I accept his will affect your experience in custody.”

Judge Kidd accepted there had been ‘‘saturation, febrile’’ media coverage of Pell’s case.
But he rejected a defence submission that the decision to broadcast his sentencing remarks constituted extra punishment.
The decision to allow a camera crew into the court room – who have only filmed the judge – was made in keeping with the court’s pledge to be open and transparent, he said.