VICTIMS stood and clapped as one of the state's most notorious paedophile priests was sentenced to 29 years jail on Monday after committing 62 acts of child sex abuse in regional NSW, including Moree.
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Former Catholic priest Joseph John Farrell, 62, sexually abused nine young altar boys and three girls between 1979 and 1988 in Moree, Armidale and Tamworth.
Farrell, also known as "Father F", committed 27 acts of sexual assault, 48 acts of indecent assault and 4 acts of indecency.
The "predatory" former priest was sentenced to a maximum of 29 years but a minimum of 18 years at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Monday.
He closed his eyes and showed no emotion as he heard he would be eligible for parole in June 2033.
One of the people who clapped and cried was victim Mark Boughton and his wife Belinda.
Outside of court he said he hoped the outcome would allow himself and other victims to "have a life".
"I'm very happy with the outcome, maybe it might show everyone else that they can stand up do the right thing and get these so called people off the street," Mr Boughton said.
"Hopefully everyone can get on, move on, have a life.
"Justice is served - he got what he wanted or what he needed, preying on kids it's not on - hopefully the world knows that now."
During his sentencing hearing, Judge Peter Zahra spoke of how Farrell groomed many of his victims and exploited his position as a priest.
"The offender admitted he had a great deal of influence over the altar boys and he abused that position," Judge Zahra said.
During the trial, Crown prosecutor Bryan Rowe outlined a series of incidents in which Farrell groped, molested, raped or forced oral sex on the altar boys.
One altar boy who was indecently assaulted in a Moree swimming pool and later raped in the presbytery said "It was the worst memory of his life".
The victim went to report the sexual abuse to police in 2012 after viewing a Four Corners program.
He said he felt "embarrassed" and "ashamed" and said he hadn't come forward earlier because "back in 1982 no one would have believed my words against a priest".
Another victim had told the court that he was raped behind the altar when he was about 10 or 11 years old.
He said Farrell had threatened to kill him and his family if he told anyone about what had happened.
Farrell was not suspended from public ministry until 1992.
His jail term will expire in 2044.
