The allegations
Alan Jones faces 22 charges against six complainants spanning from 2003 to 2020. He maintains his innocence and is defending the charges.
All but two of the charges are indecent assault. The remaining counts are sexual touching without consent.
As foreshadowed during pretrial hearings, the Crown will attempt to prove Jones engaged in a pattern of behaviour when acting on an alleged interest in “significantly younger men”.
The accusations include unsolicited and unwanted touching of the alleged victims’ genitals or bottom and kissing their lips.
Some of the alleged incidents are said to have taken place in private locations, such as inside Jones’ workplace, his Circular Quay apartment and his Fitzroy Falls farm, while others allegedly occurred inside lifts or cars.
Jones is also accused of unsolicited touching of complainants in public, such as at a fundraising event in Sydney and at a lower north shore restaurant.
How we got here
Alan Jones’ hotly anticipated trial follows a years-long investigative and legal process.
In March 2024, the sex crimes squad attached to NSW Police’s state crime command formed Strike Force Bonnefin in response to a major investigation by this masthead.
Eight months later, Bonnefin detectives swooped on the 85-year-old’s lavish apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay, seizing several devices and arresting the former radio king.
In the nearly two years since, defence lawyers and prosecutors have spent many days in court addressing pretrial issues.
Their arguments span from the defence claiming police acted unlawfully when executing their search warrant at Jones’ apartment – an issue expected to be aired in the trial – to the Crown’s successful attempt to rely on tendency evidence relating to Jones’ alleged pattern of behaviour in acting on an apparent interest in significantly younger men.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of day one of Alan Jones’ indecent assault and sexual touching trial. I’m Michaela Whitbourn and I’ll be keeping you informed of the latest developments with my colleague Clare Sibthorpe.
Jones, a former teacher, political candidate, speechwriter and coach of the Australian national rugby union team, dominated Sydney breakfast radio for decades before he retired from 2GB in May 2020.
More than four years later, in November 2024, he was arrested and charged over allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched a number of young men.
His criminal trial starts today in the NSW Local Court in Sydney and centres on allegations by six men, who will give evidence over the coming weeks. Jones has always maintained his innocence and is defending the charges.
Warning: This blog may contain discussion of legal submissions and evidence that is confronting for some readers.
Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028, Lifeline 13 11 14, and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
