Girl's diary evidence in sex case

A GIRL'S secret diaries could be crucial evidence in the case against an elderly cult leader accused of child sex crimes, a court was told yesterday.

The Daily Telegraph, Australia/January 20, 2006
By Viva Goldner

Kenneth Emmanuel Dyers, 83, faces 22 charges relating to the alleged aggravated and indecent sexual assault of two girls, both aged 12, between December 2001 and July 2002 at the Surry Hills base of the Kenja Communications sect, which was co-founded by Dyers.

Police say the offences occured in "one-on-one sessions designed to assist in clearing negative energies".

Dyers' defence lawyer Harland Koops yesterday sought a pre-trial committal hearing.

Downing Centre Local Court heard five witnesses would be called for cross-examination at the hearing, expected to last 2 1/2 days.

Among documents relating to the case were the diaries of one of the complainants.

Prosecutor Paul Wagstaff objected to the prospect of defence counsel copying entries from the diary for "reasons of privacy".

"[The diaries] are referred to a number of times in the complainant's police interview," Mr Wagstaff said.

Mr Koops did not seek access to the girl's diary yesterday.

Court documents detail a raft of alleged sex offences against the two young girls during Kenja workshops.

Dyers and his partner Jan Hamilton formed the group in 1982, preaching the positive power of a form of meditation called "energy conversion".

Dyers, of Bundeena, faces 18 charges - including having sexual intercourse without consent - relating to one victim and four in relation to the other.

During one of the alleged incidents, Dyers "caused [the victim] to strip naked and jump up and down in front of him, stating to her that she had just had an orgasm", police allege.

Among material subpoened by Dyer's defence team but yet to be produced were documents from Kambala School, DOCS and Rudolf Steiner School.

The court was told NSW Police were also expected to object to producing some documents sought on the grounds of "public interest immunity".

Deputy Chief Magistrate Graeme Henson then adjourned the case until next month.