Alan Jones pleads not guilty to indecent assault charges as alleged 10th victim revealed

A 10th alleged victim has levelled indecent assault allegations at Alan Jones, as the veteran radio broadcaster pleads not guilty and says he looks forward to clearing his name.

Alan Jones has vowed to fight “baseless” allegations of indecent assault levelled at him by complainants who say the veteran broadcaster touched and kissed them inappropriately, as explosive new claims of indecent behaviour are levelled at the former radio superstar.

Eight new charges related to a 10th complainant emerged early on Wednesday, in the hours before Jones was to appear in court for the first time since he was accused of indecent assault spanning nearly two decades.

The charges were based on allegations Jones repeatedly assaulted the complainant, known as Complainant J, when squeezing his genitalia and kissing him in Sydney’s Southern Highlands during the early 2000s.

Jones was swamped by a waiting media pack and members of the public when he arrived at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court flanked by solicitors Bryan Wrench and Chris Murphy.

Mr Wrench told the courtroom his client “looks forward to clearing his name” and was particularly eager for the matter to be heard before a jury. “He seeks to have the matter determined by the public,” Mr Wrench said, adding there had been several “untruths” spread by the media and the police.

While NSW Chief Magistrate Michael Allen said he understood the point Mr Wrench was making, he praised the “overwhelmingly” responsible media in Australia. “What not infrequently interests the community is not ­always in the community’s interest,” Chief Magistrate Allen said.

Mr Wrench said Jones wished to plead not guilty. Judge Allen took note of the plea.

Outside court, Jones said he was “certainly not guilty”.

“I will not be engaging in a running commentary in the media,” he said. “But I want you to understand that 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.”

Jones said he had “never indecently assaulted these people”.

“The law presumes that I am not guilty and I am not guilty. That’s all I can say at the moment,” he said. “But I am emphatic I will be defending every charge before a jury in due course.”

Police have laid 34 charges against Jones relating to alleged incidents that occurred between 2001 and 2019.

The charges include 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault (victim under authority of ­offender), 19 counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent, and two counts of common assault.

Jones was initially due to face 26 charges relating to incidents with nine alleged victims but Complainant J emerged as the 10th alleged victim on Wednesday, with police citing the eight new indecent assault charges.

Court documents reveal Complainant J has accused Jones of indecent assault on eight different occasions throughout 2003 and 2004 in Mittagong and Fitzroy Falls.

The allegations include that Jones squeezed Complainant J’s bottom, kissed him on the mouth and touched his genitalia. He also claims Jones once squeezed his penis while masturbating his own.

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

NSW police charged Jones with the of offences after arresting him at his harbourside apartment around 7.45am on November 18.

The alleged incidents occurred across Jones’ former residence in Newtown, his luxury Circular Quay apartment, and properties in Fitzroy Falls and Mittagong.

Earlier charges laid against Jones included that he allegedly touched the inner thigh and rubbed the penis of a man who he employed, and kissed the lips and squeezed the bottoms of others.

One person who worked for Mr 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”.

Jones successfully applied to have his bail conditions varied, allowing him to go for temporary stays away from his home address if he informed police at least 72 hours before.

He was previously allowed to stay only at his home in the Sydney CBD.

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

Chief Magistrate Allen, appearing frustrated, twice told the packed courtroom on Wednesday morning that any member of the public waiting to hear Jones’s matter because it was of personal “interest” to them should wait outside.

“I’m not going to have people standing, obstructing the doorway which necessitates the sheriff having to come into the courtroom,” he said, indicating the number of attendees “represents a security risk”.