William ‘Little Pebble’ Kamm and Sandra Mathison remain behind bars ahead of a bail application in Sydney
The Guardian
Australian Associated Press
March 12, 2024
A cult leader and self-professed prophet will seek release after being charged with grooming a girl from the age of six.
William Kamm, 73, also known as “Little Pebble”, was arrested on Monday alongside his 58-year-old partner, Sandra Mathison.
It followed a six-month police investigation into reports a woman had been groomed as a child by the duo.
The pair did not appear when the matter was briefly mentioned in Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Tuesday.
Lawyer Daniel Kradolfer told the court they will apply for bail on Thursday.
Kamm was charged with 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.
Mathison, who also goes by the name Sandra Costellia, was also charged with grooming a child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity and grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity.
Police raided the religious group’s headquarters at Bangalee on the NSW south coast on Thursday, along with a property in Sydney’s city-centre, seizing a number of items for investigation.
The pair allegedly groomed a child for several years and she contacted police after becoming an adult, Det Supt Jayne Doherty said on Monday.
“She was advised by the religious leader and his partner that she had been selected to procreate with that religious leader and to build a new sect,” the detective said of the police allegations.
Kamm, who founded breakaway Catholic doomsday cult the Order of Saint Charbel, calls himself “Little Pebble” and claims to communicate with Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary through visions.
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/12/nsw-cult-leader-william-kamm-seek-release-allegations-partner-sandra-mathison-child-grooming-girl
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