NSW: Bell told to burn in hell after being jailed = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-1999
NSW: Bell told to burn in hell after being jailed = 2

Judge Davidson described as a "patent exercise in self-justification", Bell's claim that he
was not a paedophile but a hebophile - a man involved in a reciprocal love relationship with a
youth - who was not interested in pre-pubescent boys.

"The matter is not whether the victims have reached puberty, but whether they are below the
legal age of consent, which they were clearly not," the judge said.

Last year, a jury found Bell guilty of 28 out of 38 charges and the judge found those
acquittals could rationally be explained - in relation to relevant dates and the like - and
did not show inconsistencies in the verdicts.

Last Friday, Bell pleaded guilty to 16 charges and asked the judge to take into account
another 31 similar offences.

Describing Bell as a man of considerable assets, who owned various properties and three
pleasure boats at various times, the judge said he was a sophisticated, well-educated,
well-travelled and wordly man.

He rejected Bell's claim that he only recently became aware of the potential harm to his
vulnerable young victims, who often came from dysfunctional homes.

But he accepted Bell's evidence that he would stay celibate for the rest of his life and
said it was clear he could control his sexual conduct but chose not to restrain himself.

"This is not a case of a person driven by sexual compulsion which he finds impossible or
even extremely difficult to control ...," he said.

"He regards the criminal laws of this community as being somewhat backward in its
provisions for the protection of children from sexual predators."

Most community members would be shocked at the idea that "young people going to the beach
or otherwise at recreation or leisure or going looking for spare time jobs" might be targeted
for sex by adults.

The judge also questioned Bell's stated remorse, saying "any remorse which he does feel was
exhibited very recently".

While his guilty pleas had to be taken into account as saving the boys from giving evidence
and the community from funding trials, the judge said Bell appeared to have weighed up the
costs and benefits to himself rather than having genuine remorse.

While the possibility of Bell dying in jail in the course of a lengthy sentence weighed
heavily on the judge, he said he was a fit, healthy man and objectively the crimes were
extremely serious.

The judge backdated the sentence to May 1997, when Bell came into custody, meaning the
earliest he will be eligible for parole is November 29, 2007.

The victim who yelled "burn in hell" as Bell was led from the dock told journalists the
former millionaire was an evil man who was very intelligent and knew exactly what he was
doing.

"I wanted him to show remorse, but he didn't do it," he said.

"A woman came to me downstairs and said thanks for coming forward ... her husband told her
a couple of weeks ago he was abused and he couldn't come forward ... he didn't have the
strength".

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KEYWORD: BELL SENTENCE N/L 2 SYDNEY

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