Religious cult leader William Kamm, known as “Little Pebble”, and his partner have been charged over alleged historical child grooming in Sydney.
Strike force detectives last year began investigating a 19-year-old woman’s claims she had been allegedly groomed by the 73-year-old and his 58-year-old partner, who she is known to.
The couple were arrested today at a Sydney CBD unit following search and seizures of that unit and the religious group’s headquarters at Bangalee on the NSW South Coast.
The victim was allegedly groomed for sexual activity from the age of six to 19 in a case Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said was “horrendous”.
“Over that period the child was groomed, she was advised by the religious leader and his partner that she had been selected to procreate with that religious leader and build a new sect,” Doherty said at a press conference today.
“Police will allege that during a number of years, the male accused was an inmate at a correctional centre and utilised various methods such as phone calls, letters, and using the female accused … to groom that child and gave her gifts and gave her certain directions in relation to the grooming.”
The religious leader and his partner were both charged with a number of child grooming offences at Day Street Police Station.
Kamm, who was in prison for the aggravated sexual assault of two children during the alleged grooming, was charged with an additional two counts of failing to comply with his supervision order.
They were both refused bail and will appear in Downing Centre Local Court tomorrow.
Kamm is the founder of the religious group known as the Order of St Charbel, a breakaway commune based on the NSW South Coast.
Doherty urged anyone with information or anyone who may have been a victim to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
