A court has heard that former New South Wales MP Rory Amon used a false identity online to “manipulate a child,” as his sexual assault trial proceeds in Sydney.
Prosecutors told the jury that the former member for Pittwater allegedly created and used a fake name to communicate with a teenage girl, building trust before the alleged offending occurred. The Crown argued that the use of an alias was deliberate — not casual or incidental — but designed to conceal his identity and gain influence over someone significantly younger.
Mr Amon has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial, being heard in the District Court of New South Wales, centers on allegations that the former MP engaged in sexual activity with a girl who was under the age of consent at the time. The prosecution contends that online messaging formed a key part of the alleged grooming process, with communications presented to the court as evidence of calculated deception.
According to the Crown case, the false name was part of a strategy to avoid scrutiny and to create an emotional dynamic favorable to the accused. Jurors were told that the teenager believed she was interacting with someone else entirely, unaware of the man’s public profile and political position.
Defense counsel, however, has challenged the characterization of those communications, arguing that the prosecution’s interpretation overstates intent and misrepresents the nature of the relationship. The defense maintains that Mr Amon denies any criminal wrongdoing and disputes that his conduct amounted to manipulation.
Mr Amon resigned from the New South Wales Legislative Assembly after the allegations became public. His political career, once defined by local constituency work in Sydney’s northern beaches, has since been overshadowed by the criminal proceedings.
Throughout the trial, jurors have been reminded that the charges remain allegations and that the burden rests on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court has also heard legal directions concerning the evaluation of digital evidence, including online messages and identity use.
The case has drawn public attention not only because of the nature of the allegations but because it involves a former elected official. When individuals who have held public office face serious criminal accusations, the courtroom becomes both a forum for evidence and a reminder of the standards expected of those in positions of trust.
The trial is continuing, with further witnesses expected to give evidence before closing submissions and jury deliberations.
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Sources
ABC News Australia
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Guardian Australia
New South Wales District Court