Cardinal George Pell has faced a Melbourne court today – again led by a swarm of Victoria Police, including one with a mysterious Chinese neck tattoo.
Australia’s highest ranking Catholic spent a second day listening to evidence from complainants as part of a month-long committal hearing that will determine if he will stand trial for historic child sex abuse charges.
While the hearing is closed to the public, the Cardinal’s arrival and departure at the Melbourne Magistrates Court has attracted global media interest as the 76-year-old is continually flanked by Victoria Police.
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Cardinal George Pell, 76, is seen arriving at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, again surrounded by police including one with a series of visible tattoos
The Catholic Church’s third highest ranking official is facing multiple charges for historic child sex abuse offences
Today one member of the group surrounding Pell sported a collection of visible tattoos including the Chinese symbol for ‘snake’ below his left ear.
Victoria Police policy states all members of the force must ‘project an image that is consistent with a professional and disciplined law enforcement agency’.
In regards to face and neck tattoos, members must contact the Recruiting Services Branch for advice on whether each tattoo meets the organisation’s requirements.
Policy also states ‘inappropriate or offensive’ leg and arm tattoos must also be covered while on duty.
In 2013 New South Wales Police banned members from getting face or neck tattoos while in the force on the grounds ‘there’s a belief (police) might be from a criminal background because they’ve got body art’.
On Monday, Pell’s barrister Robert Richter QC accused Victorian police of failing to follow guidelines for investigating prominent people because of a ‘presumption of guilt’ against the cardinal.
Victoria Police policy states all members of the force must ‘project an image that is consistent with a professional and disciplined law enforcement agency’
At the beginning of the committal hearing Pell’s barrister Robert Richter QC accused Victorian police of failing to follow guidelines for investigating prominent people resulting in a ‘presumption of guilt’ against the cardinal
The ongoing committal hearing will see the Catholic Church’s third highest official hear evidence from as many as 50 witnesses to determine if there’s enough evidence to take to case to trial.
Pell was charged on summons in June 2017 while he was in Rome, and returned to Australia the next month to face court.
The former Archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to fight the charges.
Pell and his legal team will return to court on Wednesday.
The former Archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer and returned from his former residence in Rome to fight the charges
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