Australian ex-priest's sentence extended to 40 years for molesting 72nd child victim

Gerald Ridsdale, an Australian ex-priest, has had an additional 12 months added to his 39-year prison sentence for molesting a 72nd victim, bringing his total convictions for child abuse to 193. Ridsdale, who has been in prison since 1994, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy in 1987. He must serve at least 33 years and six months before being eligible for parole. Ridsdale's frequent relocations as a priest were found to be evidence of the Catholic Church covering up his crimes, and it was revealed that Cardinal George Pell knew about Ridsdale's abuse before his arrest. Pell's own child abuse convictions were overturned on appeal in 2020.