Axed Dragons star Talatau Junior Amone charged with common assault

Banned NRL young gun Junior Amone spent Sunday night in custody after allegedly spitting in the face of a woman at an Illawarra night spot.

Junior Amone leaving Wollongong police station on Monday under the cover of his father’s jacket. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Axed St George Illawarra young gun Talatau Junior Amone allegedly spat on a woman at a popular pub in the heart of Wollongong, a court has heard.

Amone, 22, spent Sunday night in custody at Wollongong police station after being arrested and charged with domestic common assault.

The former Tongan rugby league international faced Wollongong Local Court on Monday where he applied for bail through his lawyer Elias Tabchouri.

The court heard Amone was at The Illawarra Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning when he was approached by the complainant, Tamara Duncombe.

“Do I know you?” Amone allegedly said.

Junior Amone played 54 games for St George Illawarra. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Ms Duncombe, who the court heard knew Amone for about a year with the pair having been intimate, replied: “Don’t play dumb with me.”

The court heard Amone allegedly began abusing Ms Duncombe, calling her a “variety of offensive words” before lunging at her and spitting in her face.

The complainant spoke with security before leaving the pub with another woman while Amone was kicked out.

Tamara Duncombe reported Junior Amone to The Illawarra Hotel security before he was kicked out. Picture: Instagram

Police arrested Amone at his home in Warrawong, south of Wollongong, about 6.15pm on Sunday.

In court on Monday, police prosecutor Kylie Talty opposed Amone’s conditional release citing he was on a 16-month intensive correction order for a violent hammer attack on a tradie.

Amone had pleaded not guilty to destroying or damaging property, intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but was found guilty during a multi-day hearing at Wollongong Local Court last year.

Ms Talty said she had concerns regarding Amone committing further offending as well as for the safety of Ms Duncombe.

Mr Tabchouri stressed “there is no domestic relationship” between Amone and Ms Duncombe and added: “My client denies being intimate with her.”

“He doesn’t know her,” the prominent Sydney lawyer said.

Junior Amone leaving Wollongong Local Court with his lawyer Elias Tabchouri in 2023. Picture: Dylan Arvela

“My client disputes what’s in the facts. He has been in custody overnight and if convicted I struggle to see how this would cross the section 5 threshold (for custodial sentence).”

Mr Tabchouri submitted Amone has a partner who he has “been with for a long time”, telling the court, Ms Duncombe “accosted” Amone due to his “notoriety from his rugby league career”.

Magistrate Michael Ong granted Amone bail on the condition he live at his Warrawong address, not contact Ms Duncombe or any prosecution witnesses and comply with the apprehended violence order.

Mr Ong also ordered Amone not enter any licensed premises.

As a result of the ICO, Amone had his $500,000 Dragons contract terminated last year and is unable to be registered in the NRL until at least 2026.

The matter will return to court later this month.

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