‘Baseless or distorted’: Alan Jones vows to fight 34 indecent assault charges

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has ignored a crowd of heckling bystanders and declared he will fight the 34 historic indecent assault charges levelled against him, describing them as either “baseless or they distort the truth”.

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has ignored a crowd of heckling bystanders and declared he will fight the 34 historic indecent assault charges levelled against him, describing them as either “baseless or they distort the truth”.

Jones read out a prepared statement to a large media contingent outside court on Wednesday morning saying: “I am certainly not guilty. And I’ll be presenting my account to a jury as you heard this morning.

“I will not be engaging in running commentary in the media. But – I want you to understand this. These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth.

“And you should know that prior to my arrest I was given no opportunity by police to answer any of these allegations. I have never indecently assaulted these people. The law assumes that I’m not guilty, and I am not guilty.

“I am emphatic that I’ll be defending every charge before a jury in due course.”

Alan Jones leaves the Downing Centre on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire

As Mr Jones fronted court for the first time since being arrested a month ago at his Circular Quay apartment, he copped a hurl of abuse, including being labelled an “old queen”.

Hecklers were heard shouting at Jones with one asking him “does the media love you now?” as the 83-year-old was slowly escorted by lawyers Chris Murphy and Bryan Wrench, with the support of court sheriffs.

Jones and his legal team were heckled outside court.

One of Jones supporters could be heard yelling back “shut up, get out of here. Go and get a job”.

Later Mr Murphy told The Daily Telegraph the behaviour was “sickening”.

Alan Jones has to live at his Sydney home or give the court notice if he is staying elsewhere. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Vile human beings abusing a man they know nothing about facing a court assumed innocent,” Mr Murphy said, adding that a “cowardly lynch mob haranguing has no place in the justice system. They will not get away with it again.”

Mr Murphy said “a legion of people have come forward. People who know the man. He has their support.”

Alan Jones is swarmed by media and hecklers as he leaves the Downing Centre. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Inside the Downing Centre Local Court Mr Wrench entered pleas of not guilty to 34 charges relating to 10 alleged victims – including committing an aggravated indecent act and sexually touching a person without consent, in relation to nine complainants. It is alleged the incidents occurred between 2001 and 2019.

On Wednesday he was hit with eight fresh charges of assault with an act of indecency.

NSW Police said Jones had been charged in relation to a tenth alleged victim.

Alan Jones arrives at the Downing Centre on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Police allege the acts occurred at a range of locations in NSW, including Mr Jones’ former residence in Newtown, his luxury Circular Quay apartment, and a property at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.

Jones has kept a low profile in the last few weeks, spotted a few days before his court appearance having dinner and a glass of wine with friends at his luxury apartment inside the famous ‘Toaster’ building near the Opera House.

Alan Jones at his Circular Quay apartment, in the building nicknamed “The Toaster”. Picture: Richard Dobson

His dining room was filled with fresh flowers, while Jones was dressed in a pink button-up shirt and orange trousers.

Jones was spotted tidying up his apartment after the departure of his friends, picking up and folding linen napkins, while several half-full glasses of red wine were littered around the table.

According to his bail conditions, Mr Jones was required to live at a Sydney address.

On Wednesday, his bail conditions were relaxed so that he is allowed to temporarily stay elsewhere, as long as he gives police at least 72 hours notice.

His matter will return to court on March 11 when a brief of evidence will be served on both the prosecution and Mr Jones’s defence.

Alan Jones arrives at the Downing Centre on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Originally published as ‘Baseless or distorted’: Alan Jones vows to fight 34 indecent assault charges