‘Anti-Jones crusade’: Alan Jones’ lawyer fires at Nine

The former radio titan faced court in relation to an 11th alleged victim, pleading not guilty, as his lawyer took a swipe at a journalist he claimed would be called as part of the case.

Alan Jones making a statement outside the Downing Centre on December 18. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

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The lawyer of the once-untouchable king of radio Alan Jones has raised concerns about an “anti-Jones crusade” by members of the media, as he formally pleaded not guilty to the latest charge of indecent assault.

High-profile solicitor Bryan Wrench used the court appearance to say he was “concerned” that Sydney Morning Herald journalist Kate McClymont, who broke numerous stories about the allegations, would be called as a witness to the proceedings, but had written a story on Monday about new allegations against Jones.

The fact she would be called as a witness was part of the brief of evidence served on his client on Thursday, he said.

“As of today she has published an article in the Sydney Morning Herald talking about case when she’s a witness called in the proceedings,” he said. “I’m worried it will be part of an anti-Jones crusade.”

Jones was charged following detailed reporting by the Nine papers, and has previously pledged to launch defamation action against Nine Publishing and dispute their reporting.

Mr Wrench also asked for a “disclosure of all the contact between NSW Police and the media”.

He said before his client was “even interviewed, they lay the charge” and that within the space of one hour it was “leaked to the media”, adding we’re “concerned about disclosure”.

He added: “For the record, (I) formally enter the plea of not guilty”.

Magistrate Daniel Covington said it was not a matter for himself, but for Mr Wrench and the DPP, and adjourned the matter to April 22. He also said Jones could not formally enter pleas at this stage of the proceedings.

Jones was excused from attending court and Mr Wrench did not answer extended questions from the media outside court.

NSW Police last week charged Jones over an alleged eleventh victim, known as Complainant K, bringing the total number of charges to 35.

Alan Jones leaves court. Picture: Roni Bintang/Getty Images

The man was allegedly indecently assaulted when Jones grabbed and squeezed “his left bottom” while the pair were in Tamworth in northern NSW in June 2013.

The former shock jock, aged 85, was issued a court attendance notice for the additional charge to appear in court on Tuesday.

It followed further investigations by Strike Force Bonnefin, which is a dedicated section of the child abuse squad investigating alleged acts of indecent assault and sexual touching by Jones spanning about 18 years from 2001 to 2019.

“Child Abuse Squad detectives have charged a man with an additional offence relating to an 11th (alleged) victim following an investigation into alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning two decades,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Jones is currently on bail and has denied all prior charges against him.

He was first arrested on November 18 at ‘the Toaster’, his luxury harbourside apartment along Circular Quay, with 26 charges laid following testimony from nine alleged victims.

According to court documents, one person who worked for Jones accounted for 11 aggravated indecent assault charges, and complained of alleged acts including “squeezing” and rubbing his thigh, kissing him on the lips and touching his penis.

Other alleged indecent acts included touching a person’s penis and “pulling his scrotum”, touching and squeezing someone’s bottom, as well as kissing someone else on the lips and “using his tongue”.

His youngest alleged victim was 17 at the time.

The allegations span from 2001 to 2019, and numerous locations including his former residence in Newtown, his luxury Circular Quay apartment, and a property in Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.

This rose to 34 in December when a 10th alleged victim came forward.

Jones is alleged to have kissed the 10th alleged victim on the mouth, and squeezed and rubbed his penis. Police will argue this happened on eight occasions between 2003 and 2004 in Sydney, Mittagong and Fitzroy Falls.

Following a court hearing in December, Jones said he would fight the “baseless” charges.

“Firstly, let me say this: I am certainly not guilty and I will be presenting my account to a jury, as you heard this morning.

“I will not be engaging in a running commentary in the media, but I want you to understand this: These allegations are either baseless or distort the truth.

“I have never indecently assaulted these people … the law assumes I am not guilty, and I am not guilty.

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

While initially restricted to living in Sydney under his bail conditions, this was relaxed in December to allow him to travel provided police are given 72 hours notice.