The NSW Liberal MP, who was charged with ten counts of child sexual assault against a young boy during an investigation on Sydney’s northern beaches, has spoken out during his resignation from the parliament.
Pittwater MP Roderick ‘Rory’ Gilmore Amon was arrested on Friday morning and charged with five counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged over 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 a person under 16.
The 35-year-old said in a statement on Friday afternoon that he denied all charges and would resign from state parliament as the member for Pittwater.
“I deny all charges and will make my case in the courts, not in the media,” Amon said.
“The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament.
“The people of Pittwater should have a representative who can dedicate 100 per cent of their time advocating for this wonderful community.
“As I defend myself against these charges, I will not be able to devote my full energy to representing them.”
“As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the member for Pittwater effective immediately.”
Amon has also resigned from the Liberal Party.
NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman said he asked for the 35-year-old’s immediate resignation after learning of the “extremely serious” charges.
“The alleged conduct strikes at the heart of the standards expected of members of parliament,” Mr Speakman said in a statement on Friday
“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 full.”
Detectives started an investigation in June 2022 after reports of an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale, which is within Amon’s electorate on Sydney’s northern beaches, in July 2017.
Police were told a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man known to him.
Report by: Georgina Noack
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