Former New South Wales Liberal MP Rory Amon has been found guilty of raping and indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy, bringing a conclusion to a harrowing legal saga that resulted in his resignation from state parliament.
The verdict was delivered in the NSW Supreme Court this week after a jury deliberated for approximately four hours. Amon, who formerly represented the electorate of Pittwater, was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a person between the ages of 10 and 14, as well as the indecent assault of a person under the age of 16.
The charges stemmed from a meeting in July 2017, when Amon—then a private citizen—connected with the victim via a dating app. The court heard that the pair met in person for the first time at an underground car park, where the offenses took place in a nearby public toilet.
Throughout the trial, Amon did not dispute that sexual activity occurred during the encounter. Instead, his legal defense rested on the claim that he held a genuine belief that the boy was 17 years old, based on representations he alleged the victim made to him. However, the victim testified that he had told Amon he was 15 at the time, though he was, in fact, only 13. By delivering a guilty verdict, the jury rejected Amon’s defense.
This week’s proceedings represented a retrial for the former politician. Earlier this year, in March, Amon stood trial on 10 charges relating to the same victim. On that occasion, he was acquitted of eight charges, which related to a separate alleged meeting that he vehemently denied ever occurred. The jury in the first trial was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the two remaining charges, prompting the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek a retrial on those specific counts.
The conviction marks the final chapter of a scandal that led to Amon’s resignation from the NSW Parliament in August 2024, shortly after his arrest. The fallout has been significant for the former MP, whose political career ended abruptly amid the criminal allegations.
Amon remains on bail following the verdict. The matter is currently listed for a sentencing hearing scheduled to take place later this month, where the court will determine the penalty for his actions.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, support is available. You can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit their website for 24/7 confidential counseling and support services.
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