Roderick Amon, a 35-year-old ex-state MP for Pittwater, is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy he was acquainted with on Sydney’s northern beaches in 2017.
Amon appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre district court, where he pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
He requested the court to modify his bail conditions to allow him to reside in Potts Point, in the inner east of Sydney, after entering into a lease for a new home in January.
Amon’s barrister, Clare O’Neill, contended that there was no malicious intent behind her client’s request to relocate to an area where the complainant neither worked nor resided.
Recognizing the inconvenience, O’Neill pointed out that the tight Sydney rental market contributed to the unfortunate timing of signing a lease before consulting with lawyers about the bail variation.
Amon was seeking a new home as he was well-recognized on the northern beaches and faced difficulties living there, as the court was informed.
However, prosecutors pointed out that the complainant, now in his 20s, both worked and socialized in the Potts Point area.
Judge David Scully determined that there was an excessive risk of Amon encountering his alleged victim and causing emotional distress, and therefore denied the bail variation request.
The termination of his lease would result in Amon losing thousands of dollars, as the court was informed.
Amon has been on bail since he was charged in August, more than seven years after the alleged offences.
He is scheduled to stand trial on 10 charges, including five counts of sexual intercourse with a person over the age of 10 and under 14.
Amon stepped down from the NSW Liberal Party following the public release of the allegations against him.
