Pell victim of 'presumption of guilt' court told

Cardinal George Pell's lawyers have accused Victoria Police on the first day of his committal hearing on historical sexual offence charges of presuming the 76-year-old of being guilty.

The Cardinal's defence barrister, Robert Richter QC, told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court that police had failed to follow protocols covering the prosecution of prominent people.

"We say that was not followed because there was a presumption of guilt," Mr Richter said.

He opposed a prosecution application for parts of the police brief of evidence against Cardinal Pell to be removed, saying police had not properly investigated about 21 witness statements that could possibly clear the Cardinal of some charges.

No specific details about the charges have been made public.

Cardinal Pell, who has been on leave from his Vatican post as Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy since Victoria Police charged him in June last year, has denied the allegations against him. The Cardinal was Archbishop of Melbourne from 1996-2001, then Archbishop of Sydney until his curial appointment by Pope Francis in 2014. He received the Red Hat in 2003.

Prosecutor Mark Gibson SC, said dates and wording in a number of the historical sexual offence charges against Cardinal Pell needed to be amended.

One charge was withdrawn by prosecutors during a hearing last week.

The Cardinal's arrival at the court, in the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct, was again marked by intense media interest and members of the public expressing support and opposition to him, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and "The Age" newspaper reported. He was surrounded by police as he arrived and left the court.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington granted a prosecution application for witnesses to have a support person present as they give evidence via a video link from a remote facility and would also allow a support dog called Coop to accompany them. 

Ms Wallington also approved the presence of a support person for Cardinal Pell as complainants gave evidence in view of his "age and medical condition".

Mr Gibson offered to give an opening address detailing the allegations to the court, but Ms Wallington said she was familiar with the brief and it was unnecessary.

The first of the complainants gave evidence from 2pm after the court had been closed to the public and media – as is the practice in courts in the State of Victoria when complainants testify in sexual offence cases.

The hearing, to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial in a higher court, is likely to be closed for two weeks of its expected four-week duration while complainants give their evidence. About 50 witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence.