Ex-Australian priest John Joseph Farrell sentenced for child abuse

Sydney: An Australian court on Monday sentenced a former Catholic priest to 29 years in prison for sexually abusing a dozen children between 1979 and 1988.

John Joseph Farrell, 62, who abused three girls and nine boys in the towns of Moree and Tamworth, was found guilty of 62 sexual crimes against children and 17 other offences.

Sydney district court judge Peter Zahra said Farrell planned his crimes in advance, including the seduction of his victims and deceiving their parents, EFE news reported.

Farrell will not get parole for a period of 18 years, which includes the time he has already served in jail, and will not be released until 2033.