Footy star Junior Amone learns his fate after being found guilty of ‘appalling’ rooftop hammer attack on a tradie

Fallen St George Illawarra playmaker Junior Amon has avoided jail after being found guilty of wielding a hammer and forcing a trader off a roof during a heated argument.

But on Monday the 21-year-old walked out of Wollongong Local Court without his father Talatau Amon, who was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison with no parole for 12 months.

Junior Amon and his father Talatau Amon were found guilty in Wollongong Local Court in October of a number of charges, including assault, relating to an incident outside their family home in Warrawonga in November 2022.

Talatau Amone pleaded not guilty to damage to property, intimidation, entering a building or grounds with intent to commit a criminal offense and assault occasioning bodily harm.

A judge described the actions of football star Junior Amon (pictured left, outside court on Monday) as “appalling” as he was sentenced for assault.

The couple entered court Monday morning surrounded by family members and supporters.

Asked if they were prepared for the worst, lawyer Elias Tabchouri said the father and son were “prepared for anything.”

Judge Gabriel Fleming described the couple’s conduct as “appalling” as she handed down individual sentences to father and son for their roles during the violent confrontation.

Talatau Amon was sentenced to two and a half years in prison with no parole for 12 months.

“There is a persistent failure to understand the consequences of his violent actions,” Ms Fleming said of his behaviour.

“There is no understanding, there is no remorse, there is no indication that the community would be safer if he served it in the community.”

Junior Amon (pictured) and his father Talatau were found guilty of the attack in November 2022 in Warrawonga on the NSW south coast.

Junior Amon was sentenced to two years of intensive community corrections, which is a prison sentence to be served in the community.

Ms Fleming said the NRL player’s behavior was “appalling”.

“You were armed with a hammer, the victims were vulnerable, the victim was on the roof, there was nowhere to go,” she said.

Ms Fleming told the court it was a “tragedy” as the sentence impacts the 21-year-old’s playing career and finances as he supports his family both in Australia and overseas.

“I think this is a tragedy that could jeopardize your entire future in the profession that you love,” she said.

“This is your tragedy, not mine.”

Both men were fined $1,000 each for damaging the vehicle and will have to pay their share of $13,481 in restitution.

The St George Illawarra playmaker (pictured playing in 2021) chased two traders onto the roof of a house with a hammer.

Fleming found the pair guilty of all charges in October after the court was told dealers Jai King and Dean West were working on a house opposite Amon’s when they became embroiled in a dispute with a group of men over a Nissan Navara parked in the street . strip of nature.

The court was told Talatau Amon nudged the rear view mirror with his elbow and reached into the car to turn off the indicator.

Junior Amon then jumped on top of the car, the court was told, while his father abused and threatened the traders.

Ms Fleming found Junior Amon and then climbed onto the roof of the house where the men were working, swinging a hammer. Mr King jumped onto a nearby roof to escape the pair, fell and hit an air conditioner on the way down.

He suffered serious injuries, including a broken arm.

King told the court the attacker was tall, muscular and had a thin mustache.

Although the judge said the description alone did not positively identify Junior Amon, other evidence linked him to the scene and she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he was the person who chased Mr King from the roof.

The court was shown CCTV footage of Junior Amon at Sydney Airport earlier in the day of the attack and the images helped place the Dragons star at the crime scene.

Another exhibit submitted to the court showed a car with extensive damage to the windshield.

Ms Fleming took into account that earlier in the day Junior Amon was seen on CCTV at Sydney Airport wearing clothing matching the description given by the victim and his fingerprints were found on the vehicle.

The NRL star’s playing future is now up in the air after the Dragons suspended him from all club activities indefinitely.

“The Dragons acknowledge the conviction handed down to player Talatau Amona today in Wollongong Crown Court in connection with an assault last November,” the club said in a statement following the conviction.

“As a result of this decision, Amone has been suspended from all club activities until further notice.”