A former NSW Liberal MP has left court to jeers of “child abuser” after being committed to stand trial over multiple alleged sexual assaults.
Roderick “Rory” Amon is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy he knew on Sydney‘s northern beaches in 2017.
The 35-year-old former MP for the seat of Pittwater appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, when pleas of not guilty to all of the charges were formally acknowledged.
Amon is due to stand trial in the district court on 10 separate charges, including sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 14.
A bail variation was also granted unopposed, allowing him to live at a different address.
The former politician declined to answer questions from media outside court as he was ushered away alongside several supporters.
One onlooker hurled verbal jabs at Amon, calling him a “child abuser”.
Amon was arrested in August and charged with a series of offences, including five counts of sexual intercourse with a person over the age of 10 and under 14.
State Liberal leader Mark Speakman previously said he asked for and received Amon’s immediate resignation from the party after the allegations became public.
“The charges laid against Rory Amon are extremely serious,” he said at the time.
“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.”
Independent Jacqui Scruby won the formerly blue-ribbon Liberal seat from Georgia Ryburn, the party’s candidate to replace Amon, at a by-election in October.
The matter is due to return to court on March 28.
For support call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028.
