Pell will also be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The cardinal's sexual offending involved "physical aggression and venom" and displayed "staggering arrogance" by a man in a position of immense power who preyed on the most vulnerable. Pell's sentence on Wednesday means the former Vatican treasurer and Papal adviser is the most senior Catholic Church official jailed for child sex crimes. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Judge Peter Kidd allowed the sentence to be broadcast live by media given the enormous public significance.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Kidd said Pell acted with "callous indifference". "It was by no means a minor indecent act," Judge Kidd said. "At some point in the episode, you even told your victims to be quiet because they were crying. "There was ample time for you to both reflect and stop ... "Your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance ... Your moral culpability in both acts was high.

"The brazenness of your conduct is indicative of your sense of power." The brazenness of your conduct is indicative of your sense of power. Chief Judge Peter Kidd Pell's time in custody will be spent in protection, the judge said, and be more onerous given his age, profile and the notoriety of his crimes. "Your situation, Cardinal Pell, is somewhat unique," he said. Upon delivering his sentence, Judge Kidd asked 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 courtroom as Pell's tally of prison sentences was read out. Pell bowed to the judge and exited the courtroom at 11.12am. Judge Kidd said he imposed a shorter non-parole period than otherwise due to Pell’s age in order to "increase [the] prospect of you living out the last part of your life in the community". Cardinal Pell's lawyer speaks outside court on Wednesday. Credit:Jason South

Speaking outside court after the sentencing Robert Richter, QC, Pell’s defence lawyer, said the cardinal would face his time in custody ‘‘like the man that he is". Asked whether there was a witch-hunt against Pell, Richter said ‘‘no comment – I’ll let you be the judge.’’ Pell's crimes In December 1996, Pell attacked the two choirboys in a room in St Patrick's Cathedral in East Melbourne, after a Sunday mass. Pell was then the Archbishop of Melbourne. Loading

Pell found the boys in the room after they had snuck back into the cathedral from a procession outside, and were swigging from a bottle of sacramental wine. With the door to the room open and still wearing his robes, Pell sexually molested one boy. He moved to the other and repeatedly sexually assaulted him. Both assaults took place while the boys were struggling and flailing their arms. The boys were crying and sobbing. At one point Pell told the boys to be quiet. Early in 1997, again inside the cathedral and after a Sunday mass, Pell shoved the second boy against a wall and squeezed his genitals. 'A grave breach of trust'

Judge Kidd said Pell made a "reasoned decision, albeit perverted one" to commit the sexual acts. He added Pell might have made the "breathtakingly arrogant" decision to commit the acts on the assumption his authority as an archbishop meant he would get away with it. Chief Judge Peter Kidd delivers his sentence. Credit:ABC News 24 Judge Kidd said Pell's attacks on the two boys in the sacristy were opportunitistic, sexually graphic and continued even though both boys were visibly and audibly distressed. "There is an added layer of degradation and humiliation" each boy endured, the judge said, because they witnessed each other being abused.

The second incident, the judge said, carried a degree of premeditation and contained a degree of "physical aggression and venom". The crimes had a long and lasting impact on Pell's victims, the judge noted. One of the victims is now a man in his 30s and has struggled with the emotional impact, in particular on his relationships. "I take into account the profound impact your offending has taken on [his] life," Judge Kidd told Pell. The other victim died in 2014 from an accidental heroin overdose. He is not known to have ever spoken of the offending, but Judge Kidd said the impact on him would also have been profound.

Judge Kidd said at the time Pell, as archbishop, occupied a position of trust over the boys, and that his crimes represented a "grave" breach of trust. He abused his position of power to prey on the most vulnerable within the cathedral, who were 13-year-old choirboys. 'A publicly vilified figure' Judge Kidd has acknowledged he must sentence Pell in a "unique context" given his profile in the church.

"You are a figure of significant interest to those of the Catholic faith," he said. The media focus on Pell's case was extraordinary, he said, and that it was fair to say the cardinal is considered by some as "a publicly vilified figure". Judge Kidd slammed the "witch hunt" that had taken place since Pell was convicted, and that he "utterly condemns such behaviour". "The court stands as a bullwark against such irresponsible behaviour," he said. Judge Kidd said he could only sentence Pell based on the crimes he committed and he could not be made a scapegoat for the church's failings, nor for the trauma inflicted on other victims by other abusive priests.

He reminded victims of other crimes that Pell's sentence "cannot be a vindication of your trauma". Pell maintains he is innocent and has appealed against his convictions. His legal challenge will be heard in the Court of Appeal on June 5. Pell has been in custody awaiting sentence since a February 27 pre-sentence hearing. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636, or the Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817.