'Little Pebble' jailed for sexual abuse

Australian Broadcasting Corporation/October 14, 2005

Self-styled religious figure William Kamm, known as 'Little Pebble', has been sentenced to at least three-and-a-half years in jail for sexually abusing one of his teenage followers.

In 1993, Kamm indecently and sexually assaulted a then 15-year-old girl who lived with her family at Kamm's religious community near Nowra on the south coast of New South Wales.

The District Court heard that Kamm's followers called him 'Little Pebble' and believed that he was receiving messages from the Virgin Mary.

The trial was read a series of sexually overt letters Kamm wrote to the girl after she accepted an offer to become one of his "spiritual" wives.

The prosecution said the letters backed up the woman's allegations.

But Kamm's lawyer told the jury they only showed what he intended to happen, not any actual event.

After deliberating for almost three days, the jury found the 55-year-old guilty of all five charges he was facing.

In sentencing today, Judge John Williams described the crime as an inexcusable and gross breach of trust against a very young and immature girl.

Judge Williams said the letters Kamm wrote to the girl were completely inappropriate in any circumstances and could not be given any religious justification.

Kamm was given a total maximum sentence of five years in jail.

He will be eligible for parole in 2009.