Rory Amon: Disgraced NSW MP breaks cover for the first time since he was charged with with child sex offences as he makes a last minute dash to Dee Why police station

Disgraced MP Rory Amon has been seen in public for the first time since he was charged with a series of sex offences against a 13-year-old boy.

Amon, 35, was seen leaving Dee Why police station in Sydney’s northern beaches after reporting for bail at around 7.30pm on Sunday, shortly before the 8pm deadline.

He resigned as senator for the New South Wales constituency of Pittwater on Friday, just hours after he was charged in 2017 with assaulting a teenage boy he knew in Mona Vale.

The charges include five counts of sexual intercourse with a person between the ages of 10 and 14, and two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 10 and 14.

He was also charged with two counts of sexual assault on a person under 16 and committing an act of sexual assault on a person under 16.

Amon came forward for the first time on Sunday evening after his lawyers appeared in court in Manly on Friday afternoon and tried to prevent the media from identifying him and reporting the allegations.

The request was withdrawn and denied.

He emerged from the police station with his bail papers and what appeared to be a new haircut.

He quickly got into a waiting car and kept his face stiff. To avoid the cameras, he put his forearm over his eyes and was driven away in chaotic scenes.

Earlier, an elaborate decoy had been set up to help Amon evade the massive media force waiting outside.

Another man, posing as Amon, left the police station in front of the building. He was wearing a gray hoodie and a baseball cap in the same style.

Amon was ordered to leave through the rear, and several vehicles were also used to help him leave the area without being detected.

The strict conditions of Amon’s bail include that he must report to the police daily.

He has reportedly not returned home since Friday’s charges were filed.

He was due to take charge of the Shute Shield rugby union grand final between Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs on Saturday but was replaced at the last minute.

The Shute Shield final is the pinnacle of rugby in Sydney and the premier club rugby competition in Australia.

Amon was due to officiate as No. 5 referee for the Premier League final at Leichhardt Oval, but the NSW Rugby Referee’s Association had to scramble for a replacement at the last minute due to the charges.

On Friday, Amon released a statement asserting his innocence and confirming his resignation from the NSW Liberals.

“Today I have been charged in connection with events that allegedly took place in 2017,” he said.

“I deny all allegations and will plead my case in the courts, not in the media. Therefore, I will not be making any further comment on the matter.”

‘The nature of the charges against me is such that I can no longer fully represent my community in Parliament.

As a result, I have resigned as Member for Pittwater with immediate effect.’

Amon said his constituents deserved a representative who could commit to the community.

“Because I have to defend myself against these charges, I cannot devote my full energy to my defense,” he said.

‘Thank you to everyone who supported me.

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to represent my community on the Northern Beaches City Council since September 2017 and as the Member for Pittwater since March 2023.”

Amon must report to police once a day and is not allowed to contact the alleged victim or witnesses for the prosecution due to strict bail conditions.

He will appear in Manly Magistrates Court on September 18.

New South Wales Opposition Leader Mark Speakman confirmed he had called for Amon’s resignation when he learned of the allegations earlier on Friday.

“The charges against Rory Amon are extremely serious,” he said in a statement.

When I heard of these allegations, I demanded and obtained Mr Amon’s immediate resignation from the Liberal Party.

“While Mr Amon is entitled to the presumption of innocence, it will be some time before a criminal case is brought. In the meantime, the citizens of Pittwater deserve a Member of Parliament who can fully discharge his duties in the community.”

The investigation related to reports of sexual abuse in Mona Vale, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, in 2017.

“Police were told that a teenage boy had been sexually assaulted by a man he knew at an address in Mona Vale,” a New South Wales Police spokesperson said.

‘In March 2023, Strike Force NOORAL was established to investigate the incident.

‘Following extensive investigations, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Manly Police Station today at around 6am.’

Amon was elected for the seat of Pittwater at the 2023 state election, replacing outgoing minister Rob Stokes.

He became Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for Youth.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb was questioned about the allegations at the budget hearing on Friday.

Robert Borsak, MP for Riflemen, Fishermen and Farmers, asked Ms Webb if she could inform parliament ‘about the proceedings and charges relating to the indictment of Mr Amon’.

“He is currently in custody awaiting his appearance in court. Will the police support a bail application from him?” he asked.

“That’s up to the surety,” Mrs. Webb replied.

“A bail bondsman … makes the decision, and that’s the bail bondsman’s decision,” she said.

New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley was also unaware of the charges.

“This is new to me,” she said during the hearing.