St George Illawarra Dragons’ Junior Amone could find himself in jail after being found guilty of his role in a ‘hammer attack’ last year.
News of Amone’s dispute emerged late last year after he and his father were arrested for the incident at their family home last November.
Now, almost a year on Amone has been found guilty and could therefore face a jail sentence, with his club having stood him down from all club related activities.
St George released a statement after today’s verdict:
“As a result of this outcome, (Junior) Amone has been stood down from all club activities until further notice,” the statement said.
“The club will make no further comment at this time as court proceedings continue.”
Amone had been stood down under the NRL’s “no-fault stand down” policy and with confirmation of a charge, that remains the case.
The incident with which he has been charged saw him allegedly chase a tradesman off a roof whilst wielding a hammer, with the worker falling and suffering injuries as a result
He will face sentencing in December and Fox Sports report that magistrate Gabriel Fleming informed the court that a prison term was a possible sentence.
Both he and his father had pleaded not guilty but Ms Fleming found them guilty on all charges meaning that it’s a nervous wait until sentencing for the pair.
The 21-year-old had been a rising star with St George and much of his arrest marred the pre-season for the side who ended up competing to avoid the wooden spoon alongside Wests Tigers.
As well as his day at court the NRL Integrity Unit have been investigating the Tongan international but haven’t brought any punishments forward yet.
He has played three times for his country and could have been available for the current Tonga tour of England but for a lack of form after missing the early part of the season on account of the stand down policy.
Amone has already played over 50 games for St George in his young career but is now a serious doubt over the 2024 season given this charge and any possible sentencing.
