Cult leader sex trial moved

News Interactive/August 6, 2004
By Graeme Webber

The trial of a religious cult leader charged with sexually assaulting two teenage girls on the NSW south coast has been moved to Sydney.

Order of Saint Charbel founder William Kamm, also known as "The Little Pebble", is due to face trial for the alleged sexual assaults 14 and 15-year-old girls in the 1990s.

Mr Kamm remained silent during his brief appearance at Wollongong District Court today as his legal counsel sought permission to transfer the matter to Sydney.

The Crown raised no objections to having the highly publicised case tried before NSW District Court. Judge Joe Phelan also consented.

Mr Kamm, who remains on bail, is charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault, aggravated indecent assaults and aggravated indecency after his arrest in August 2002.

In a statement previously tendered to the court, one of the girls said Mr Kamm referred to her as one of his "Queens".

"He told me in the letters that I was his spiritual wife and could not be with any other man," her statement said.

The girl subsequently fell pregnant to Mr Kamm.

The Vatican outlawed the so-called Catholic order two years ago.

The matter has been relisted to appear before the NSW District Court on August 12, when a trial date will be set.