Former Liberal MP Rory Amon Found Not Guilty of Majority of Child Abuse Charges
In a high-profile case at the New South Wales Supreme Court, ex-Liberal MP Rory Amon has been acquitted of most charges after being accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy. The verdict was delivered in mid-February following three days of jury deliberations, marking a significant turn in the legal proceedings.
Jury Deadlock on Remaining Charges
The jury found Amon not guilty of four counts of child rape, two counts of attempted child rape, and two counts of indecent assault of a child. However, they were unable to reach a verdict on additional charges of rape and indecent assault, leading to a deadlock and the discharge of the jury. This outcome leaves open the possibility of a second trial for the unresolved allegations.
During the trial, Amon maintained a composed demeanor, keeping his eyes downcast as the not-guilty verdicts were read. After the proceedings, he was observed stepping from the dock with a broad smile and embracing his barrister, reflecting a moment of relief amid the ongoing legal uncertainty.
Background and Testimony in the Case
Amon, aged 36, pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied any criminal conduct. He admitted to meeting the teen once for sex in 2017 but contested claims of a second encounter. In his testimony, Amon asserted that he held an honest and reasonable belief that the teenager was over the age of 16, as the pair had connected on an adults-only website where the boy had inflated his age.
The court heard that Amon, then 27 and aspiring to a political career, and the boy moved their conversation to Snapchat, exchanging explicit messages and images before meeting in person. According to the prosecution, Amon arrived at the teen's apartment block wearing casual attire, and the encounter took place in a small, dirty bathroom under the building. The Crown argued that Amon should have realized the youth was under 16 based on visual cues, but Amon testified, "He told me he was 17 and nothing I saw changed that belief."
Legal and Political Repercussions
Arrested in August 2024, Amon faced charges including five counts of having sexual intercourse with a child and related offenses. Eight of these charges stemmed from the boy's allegations of a second meeting in July 2017. The teen reported the incident to friends, his mother, a school counsellor, and a psychologist shortly after it occurred, but a formal police complaint was not made until five years later.
The case has had profound implications for Amon's political career. At the time of the initial contact in 2017, he was working full-time for federal MP Jason Falinski. He later served two terms on the Northern Beaches council and was elected as the Liberal MP for Pittwater in 2023. However, the charges led to his expulsion from the Liberal party and resignation, effectively ending his fledgling career in state politics. His exit also impacted the party, resulting in the loss of the formerly safe seat to a teal independent in a subsequent by-election.
As the legal process continues, with potential retrial proceedings on the horizon, this case underscores the complex interplay between personal conduct, legal accountability, and political fallout in high-stakes criminal trials.
