Woman rebukes Little Pebble's depravity

Associated Press in NineMSN (Australia)/September 16, 2005

A former member of a NSW south coast cult rebuked the controversial spiritual leader for exploiting her child-like trust to gratify his sexual depravity.

William Kamm, aka The Little Pebble, is awaiting sentence after a district court jury convicted him of aggravated sexual intercourse and four counts of aggravated indecent assault against the girl 12 years ago.

His victim, now 27, told the court how she felt like an outcast when she fled the commune to escape Kamm's repeated sexual advances - too confused and embarrassed to even tell her parents.

Reading from her victim impact statement during sentencing submissions, the woman told how her high school education suffered and her self-esteem plummeted.

She said the leader of the commune at Cambewarra near Nowra exploited her trust "to gratify (his) sexual depravity".

"This man, William Kamm - whom I loved and trusted from the age of six both as a family friend and spiritual guide - violated my innocence when I was 15 years old," she told the court.

"I just wanted to be a normal teenager and not be in a relationship with a 45-year-old man.

"I was very vulnerable and alone at a time in my life (when) I needed support."

Kamm convinced the girl and her family that she was specially chosen to be one of 12 queens and 72 princesses who would be divinely impregnated by his holy hugs.

The three-week trial heard how Kamm taught that his royal court would give birth to new nations after god unleashed his wrath on the world.

The girl said she had to fend for herself and discover her own path in life "without his warped ideas of God's plan".

Pausing to wipe tears from her eyes, she said: "I will not let this man's actions determine my life".

But Kamm remained unmoved by the rebukes, as he did throughout the three-week trial which culminated in unanimous guilty verdicts on July 8.

Defence Barrister Greg Stanton indicated that when the sentencing hearing resumes next month, he wants to cross-examine a psychologist who made an assessment of Kamm.

Judge John Williams adjourned the matter until Monday.