Cult boss on 14 sex charges

The Gulf Coast Advocate,Australia/July 17, 2009

The leader of a secretive religious group based on the Coffs Coast has appeared in court on 14 charges of aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault and sexual intercourse without consent.

Senior Christian Assemblies International pastor Anthony Scott Williams appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday with police alleging the offences were aggravated by his use of his position as the Overseer (highest authority) of the organisation of which the victims were members.

The charges included indecent assault of a victim under the authority of the offender; assault with an act of indecency; aggravated sexual assault of a victim under the authority of the offender and sexual intercourse without the consent of the victim.

Mr Williams, 65, of Christian Assemblies International Pacific Headquarters at Wayper Creek Road, Upper Orara, was on bail after being arrested on June 5 following allegations that he had had sexual intercourse without consent with a member of his church.

The charges involved two different male victims, both allegedly members of CAI at the time and related to alleged offences on a variety of occasions between 2002 and 2005 in Coffs Harbour, Upper Orara and Byron Bay.

The charges allege that Mr Williams had sexual intercourse with one of the victims on a number of occasions, knowing the victim was not consenting.

It was alleged that on other occasions Mr Williams touched the same victim's penis and masturbated him, again without his consent.

Scott Williams was required to surrender his passports as part of his continuing bail conditions; to report weekly to Coffs Harbour Police; not to leave NSW and to continue living at his present residence at the CAI Pacific Headquarters at Wayper Creek Road in Upper Orara.

He was also required not to approach former members of Christian Assemblies International.

The case was adjourned to Coffs Harbour Local Court for mention on November 10.

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