Alleged BDSM sex cult leader seen for first time since being granted bail

Published February 22, 2023 By admin with Comments 1

A former soldier accused of running a “sex cult” in regional NSW, in where he lived with six polyamorous partners, has been pictured for the first time as he asked for his bail to be relaxed.

James-Robert Davis fronted Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday for the first time since he was released on bail in December, ending his time behind bars on remand after almost 21 months.

He was arrested in March 2021 and is facing 40 serious offences related to the alleged House of Cadifor cult near Armidale in northern NSW.

Lawyer Gemma Ridley on Wednesday asked the court to amend Mr Davis’ bail conditions so he no longer had to abide by the house arrest rule.

“The condition currently is total house arrest, the only exception is he can attend conferences at my office and a medical emergency,” Ms Ridley told the court.

“What is sought is the imposition of an overnight curfew … he is subject to an ankle monitor bracelet already.”

The court heard Mr Davis had complied with all conditions since he was released from custody, and has not had any breaches.

Ms Ridley told the court bail was originally granted when the hearings were expected to go ahead in February and April, but they have since been pushed back to September and October.

The court was told the matter has seen “quite a few issues” and it was a disadvantage for Mr Davis to be on such onerous conditions for so long.

“When the bail conditions were set … it was for a finite period for 11 weeks,” Ms Ridley told the court.

“Supreme court in imposing the conditions envisioned he would be on onerous strict house arrest with an ankle monitor for a short time.”

Content retrieved from: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/alleged-bdsm-sex-cult-leader-seen-for-first-time-since-being-granted-bail/news-story/0378fa9ac46177853f0a9e23d66d23e4.