Disgraced MP Rory Amon has been seen in public for the fist time since he was charged with a string of child sex offences he allegedly committed against a 13-year-old boy.
Amon, 35, was seen leaving Dee Why police station in Sydney’s northern beaches after reporting for bail around 7.30pm on Sunday – shortly before his 8pm deadline.
He resigned from his seat in the NSW state electorate of Pittwater on Friday, just hours after he was charged with assaulting a teenage boy who was known to him in Mona Vale in 2017.
The charges include five counts of having sexual intercourse with person over the age of 10 and under-14, and two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child over-10 and under 14.
He was also charged with two counts of indecent assault on a person under-16 and committing an act of indecency with person under-16.
Amon broke cover for the first time on Sunday night after his lawyers appeared in Manly Local Court on Friday afternoon and tried to suppress the media from identifying him and reporting the allegations.
The application was withdrawn and dismissed.
He emerged from the police station holding his bail reporting papers and sported what appeared to be a fresh haircut.
NSW MP Rory Amon (pictured) broke cover for the first time for his first bail report in Sydney’s Dee Why police station on Sunday night after he was charged with child sex offences
He quickly got into a waiting car and appeared stony faced before he placed his forearm over his eyes to avoid the cameras and was driven away in chaotic scenes.
Earlier, an elaborate decoy set up to help Amon evade the large media contingent waiting outside.
Another man, who was disguised as Amon, exited the police station at the front wearing a grey hoodie and similarly styled baseball cap.
Amon was directed to exit at the back. Several vehicles were also used in a bid to help him leave the area without being detected.
Amon’s strict bail conditions include reporting to police daily.
It’s understood that he hasn’t returned to his home since the charges were laid on Friday.
He was scheduled to officiate Saturday’s Shute Shield rugby union grand final between Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs but was replaced at the last minute.
The Shute Shield grand final is the pinnacle of Sydney rugby and the premier club rugby competition in Australia.
Amon was due to help officiate the first grade grand final as the No.5 official at Leichhardt Oval but the NSW Rugby Referee’s Association was forced to scramble for a 11th hour replacement in the wake of the charges.
On Friday, Amon released a statement maintaining his innocence, and confirming his resignation from the NSW Liberals.
‘Today I have been charged in relation to events alleged to have taken place in 2017,’ he said.
Amon quickly got into a waiting car and appeared stony faced before he placed his forearm over his eyes to avoid the cameras and was driven away in chaotic scenes (pictured)
‘I deny all charges, and will make my case in the courts, not in the media. Accordingly, I will make no further comment on the case.’
‘The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament.
As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the Member for Pittwater, effective immediately.’
Amon said his constituents deserved a representative who was able to dedicate themselves to the community.
‘As I defend myself against these charges, I will not be able to devote my full energy to representing them,’ he said.
‘Thank you to all those who have supported me.
‘It’s been the greatest honour of my life to represent my community on Northern Beaches Council from September 2017, and as the Member for Pittwater since March 2023.’
Amon must report to police once daily and can’t contact the alleged victim or any witnesses for the prosecution as part of his strict bail conditions.
He will appear at Manly Local Court on September 18.
Another man who was disguised as Amon, exited the police station at the front wearing a grey hoodie and similarly styled baseball cap (pictured)
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman confirmed he asked for Amon’s resignation when he learned about the charges earlier on Friday.
‘The charges against Rory Amon are extremely serious,’ he said in a statement.
‘Upon learning of these charges, I asked for and received Mr Amon’s immediate resignation from the Liberal Party.
‘While Mr Amon is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a criminal trial will be some time away and in the meantime the citizens of Pittwater are entitled to have a member of Parliament who can discharge their duties in the community fully.’
The investigation related to reports of a sexual assault in Mona Vale in Sydney’s northern beaches in 2017.
‘Police were told a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man – who was known to him – at an address in Mona Vale,’ a NSW Police spokesman said.
‘In March 2023, Strike Force NOORAL was established to investigate the incident.
‘Following extensive inquiries, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Manly Police Station about 6am today.’
The MP resigned from his seat in the NSW electorate of Pittwater on Friday – just hours after he was charged with assaulting a teenage boy who was known to him in Mona Vale in 2017
Rory Amon unsuccessfully tried to evade the media at Dee Why police station on Sunday night
Amon was elected to the seat of Pittwater at the 2023 state election, replacing retiring minister Rob Stokes.
He became the Shadow Assistant Minister for Transport and Roads, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, and the Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was asked about the charges at budget estimates on Friday.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak asked Ms Webb if she could inform parliament ‘about the processes and charges in relation to Mr Amon’s charging’.
‘He is currently in custody awaiting an appearance in court, will the police support an application for bail from him?’ he asked.
‘That will be up to the bail sergeant,’ Ms Webb replied.
‘A bail sergeant … makes the determination, and that’s the decision of the bail sergeant,’ she said.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley was also unaware of the charges.
‘This is news to me,’ she told the hearing.
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