Eight new charges against Alan Jones

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones is now facing a total of 34 charges as he faces court. Here is everything you need to know.

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has been hit with eight new charges of indecent assault.

The 83-year-old made his first court appearance on Wednesday, at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, since being arrested and charged with historical sexual assault offences.

Police arrested the renowned broadcaster following a raid on his luxury apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay last month.

Here’s what we know so far.

Alan Jones leaves Day St Police Station, in Sydney in November after being charged. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Coker

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES?

Jones is now facing a total of 34 charges after being hit with eight new charges of assault with an act of indecency on Wednesday.

He was initially facing 26 charges, including committing an aggravated indecent act and sexually touching a person without consent.

Jones allegedly committed the offences against nine men between 2001 and 2019.

Police said he knew some of the alleged victims personally and professionally. The youngest complainant was aged 17 when the incident allegedly occurred.

Jones’ lawyer Chris Murphy told media his client intended to defend the charges, which indicates a high profile trial could be on the horizon.

Alan Jones is facing eight new charges. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Coker

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN COURT?

Jones’ first court appearance attracted a heavy media presence, but what happens inside the courtroom is difficult to predict and could have a variety of outcomes.

He appeared in court in person, rather than electing a lawyer to appear on his behalf. He could make an application to relax his bail conditions, or he could enter a plea.

However, police have indicated the investigation is complex and ongoing, which means a plea is unlikely.

In cases with historic allegations and a number of witnesses, like this one, it could take months for prosecutors to compile a brief of evidence.

The matter will be adjourned to a later date, likely in the first half of 2025.

WHAT HAS BEEN ALLEGED?

According to court documents, Jones allegedly committed the 26 offences at his former home in Newtown, his apartment in Circular Quay, his farm in the Fitzroy Falls, a location in Kiama, and another in Alexandria - all between June 2001 and December 2019.

The alleged victims cannot be identified for legal reasons.

All 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault were allegedly committed against the same person between 2005 and 2008. That person is known as Complainant C.

Police will allege Jones squeezed C’s knee, touched his leg and inner thigh, touched and rubbed his penis, kissed him on the mouth, touched his face, and caressed his upper arm.

Four of the indecent assault charges were allegedly committed against Complainant A and Complainant B between 2001 and 2017. Jones is accused of kissing A using his tongue. He is accused of touching and fondling B’s penis.

A further six indecent assault charges relate to Complainant D between 2008 and 2010, Complainant F in 2012, and Complainant G in 2014.

Jones is accused of touching D’s bottom, stroking his right thigh, touching his mid-thigh, and pulling his scrotum. He allegedly squeezed F’s bottom, and touching G’s leg close to his groin.

The common assault charge related to Complainant E between 2010 and 2011, and Complainant I between 2015 and 2019.

He also allegedly sexually touched Complainant I without consent in 2019.

WHO ARE HIS SUPPORTERS?

Jones has been a popular and polarising figure for decades, with supporters ranging from former prime ministers to billionaires, and troubled athletes.

When he announced his retirement from radio in 2020, billionaire James Packer told Jones live on air: “Just thinking about you and all the good times we’ve had together and all the kind things you have done for me.”

After the charges were laid, Packer said: “Alan is a dear, dear friend who I love and it’s a pleasure to support him.”

Former prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have all supported Jones in the past, along with mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

Most have remained quiet since his arrest, but Mr Howard told The Daily Telegraph: “As you know, Alan Jones is a good friend of mine. I have no knowledge of the matters canvassed.”

Ms Rinehart refused to comment, but her websites were scrubbed of any mention of Jones.

WILL THE MATTER GO TO TRIAL?

The matter will go to trial if Jones pleads not guilty. The question is, what court would he be tried in?

His charges are not strictly indictable offences which means the matter could remain in the local court, which generally moves faster with less formalities than district and supreme courts.

Local courts handle summary offences, including theft, drug possession and assault, and do not involve juries.

If the matter was heard in the local court, Jones would be tried before a magistrate and witnesses would give evidence over a period of weeks. The maximum sentence would be five years for multiple offences.

However, the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions could choose to move the matter to the district court based on the seriousness of the charges.

In that instance, the matter would be committed to trial, Jones would be formally arraigned and given a future trial date.

Due to a backlog of cases, a local court hearing would take place mid-2025 at the earliest. A hearing in the district court may not be listed until 2026.

Alan Jones leaving Day Street Police Station. Picture: Jonathan Ng

WHO WILL REPRESENT JONES?

Jones was escorted from Day Street Police Station by high-profile criminal solicitors Chris Murphy and Bryan Wrench.

Hours later, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald told reporters at a press conference that a number of witnesses had been assisting police for years.

He said historic matters were “incredibly hard to investigate” and commended the alleged victims for their “bravery”.

Mr Murphy told media: “I want to add a comment that I think it’s totally contemptible of the assistant commissioner of police to be praising the witnesses who he might like to call ‘victims’.”

“This is a matter for a courtroom and I believe that he is in terrible breach doing that.”

He said Jones “denies any misconduct” and intends to “assert his innocence appropriately in the courtroom”.

“Allegations have been made. Nothing has been tested, nothing has been proven,” he continued.

“Mr Jones will be defending this case. He is presumed innocent.”

Jones is expected to appoint a barrister before his court appearance in December.

WHAT ARE HIS BAIL CONDITIONS?

Jones was granted bail on the day he was charged. Bail continued on Tuesday after a ninth alleged victim came forward, resulting in two fresh charges.

Upon release, Jones relinquished his passport and agreed not to apply for a new one.

He is not allowed to enter an international or domestic airport, and he is forbidden from leaving the state or country.

He must live at an address in Sydney, and must not contact, stalk or intimidate any complainants or witnesses in relation to the investigation – either himself, or via a third party.

Jones cannot disclose the identity of any complainant to a third party or media outlet.

If more alleged victims come forward and new charges are laid, police could reassess his bail status or the conditions.