<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A former </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/politics" rel="" target="" title="politician"><span>politician</span></a><span> accused of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sexual-assault" rel="" target="" title="sexually abusing"><span>sexually abusing</span></a><span> a young teen in a car park bathroom has said he did not know the boy was 13 years old when they met.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Rory Amon talked to the alleged victim on a gay dating app and then over </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/snapchat" rel="" target="" title="Snapchat"><span>Snapchat</span></a><span> before meeting at the boy's family home on </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span>'s northern beaches.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The former state MP has pleaded not guilty to various criminal sexual acts against the teenage boy in 2017 and faced a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> Supreme </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="Court"><span>Court</span></a><span> jury trial today.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-how-secret-operation-happened/f28c1124-d4b6-49ab-95b7-2520ab3d8750" target="_blank"><strong><span>Inside the secret operation to arrest former prince Andrew</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Then aged in his mid-20s, Amon initially spoke with the boy on a gay hook-up website after the teen lied about his age to sign up for a free trial, crown prosecutor Meaghan Fleeton told jurors.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Amon and the boy, who was in Year 8 at high school, did not use their real names.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They allegedly met on two occasions in June and July 2017 at the teen's apartment, where he lived with his parents.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/former-mp-sex-faces-child-sexual-abuse-trial/96a2e5e6-4074-4320-ac60-0608bc82cfd7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The sexual activity took place in a communal bathroom connected to the car park, Fleeton said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At the first meeting, Amon is accused of placing the boy's hand on his genitals and then directing the boy to have sexual intercourse with him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On the second occasion, he brought along a towel, which was placed on the floor.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Further alleged sexual assaults took place while the pair were standing and then while they lay down on the towel.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Amon attempted to have sexual intercourse with the teen before telling him to perform another sexual act.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-donald-trump-reaction/53cace65-7e54-4dad-af47-5afc553a2eec" target="_blank"><strong><span>US President Donald Trump says ex-prince Andrew's arrest 'very, very sad to me'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On both occasions, the former councillor left first.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The boy waited a few minutes alone before going upstairs to his home, Fleeton told the jury.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The complainant - who cannot be legally named - then blocked Amon on Snapchat.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He told his teacher, psychiatrist, parents and friends in 2017 about what allegedly happened.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the teen did not make a formal complaint to police until years later, after Amon became a local councillor and the boy realised his real identity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Amon was arrested and charged in August 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now aged 36, the former politician has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges, including five counts of having sexual intercourse with a child and two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also denies indecent assault charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Amon admits meeting the teenager on a gay dating app, but it may have been different to the one the Crown alleges was used, defence barrister Matthew Johnston SC told jurors.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The former MP also admitted talking with the teen on Snapchat before going to his home.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>TIMELINE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-timeline-of-events-between-prince-andrew-jeffrey-epstein/952378da-ce1f-43b9-a97f-d518d7e156ad" target="_blank"><strong><span>What led to the arrest of a former prince</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Amon denied he knew the boy was 13-years-old as anyone who signed up for the dating website had to be aged over 18.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"At no point in time did (the alleged victim) provide Mr Amon with his real age," Johnston told the jury.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instead, the 36-year-old had an honest and reasonable belief that the complainant was at least 16-years-old, the jury heard.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That is an innocent state of mind," Johnston said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alleged victim is expected to tell the court he said he was at least 15-years-old.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Amon also disputed meeting up with the teen twice, saying he only went to the apartment block on one occasion, Johnston said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The trial continues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong></a><strong><span> 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>