Cult leader, William Kamm aka ‘Little Pebble’, alleged plan to have sex with child

The founder of a religious sect has been granted bail after he allegedly told a nine-year-old girl it was her mission to have sex with him.

William Kamm, known to his followers as ‘Little Pebble’, is accused alongside his wife Sandra Susan Mathison, 58, of grooming the girl from the age of six.

The 74-year-old allegedly called the child, wrote her letters and sent her presents to groom her to become a “queen” in his church over a period spanning more than a decade.

He has denied the claims and appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday to ask to be released on bail to prepare for his upcoming trial and tend to his health issues.

The prosecution opposed the application, noting Kamm allegedly told the girl from the age of six that she had a “beautiful mission from God” to be his wife.

“When the complainant turned nine, that’s when we say it explicitly became sexual and she was told that it’s her mission to have sex with (Kamm),” Hannah Fitzgerald said.

“At the age of 13, she was told that they were looking at going on a cruise because there was no age of consent on the seas.”

Kamm and Ms Mathison were captured on taped calls discussing cruise options, the court was told.

Kamm poses an ongoing risk to the community because he had a history of using his religious convictions to gain access to vulnerable children and little ability to regulate himself, Ms Fitzgerald argued.

“Because of this belief, he doesn’t believe his conduct to be wrong,” she said.

But Kamm’s barrister said the case against his client was “not a strong one” and there was no evidence of sexual activity between the religious leader and the child during the time.

The doomsday cult leader told her to “stay strong for your mission” and that he had “waited so long” for her in recorded conversations that indicate he expected delays, Peter Lange SC said.

“It seems the intention is really to perhaps engage in sexual relations with a woman of mature age rather than a child,” he told the court.

Acting Justice Robert Hulme agreed there were questions about the prosecution case and decided to grant Kamm bail under “extremely onerous” conditions”.

The head of the Order of St Charbel is required to reside at an offender support centre, report to police every day and abstain from contacting any member of his cult.

He has pleaded not guilty to grooming a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity, grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity and an aggravated offence of inciting a person to do a sexual act.

The 74-year-old, who claims he can communicate with Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, has also denied allegations he twice failed to comply with a supervision order.

His wife has pleaded not guilty to grooming a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity and grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)