New alleged victim, eight extra indecent assault charges laid as Alan Jones pleads not guilty

Warning: Graphic content.

Former broadcaster Alan Jones has pleaded not guilty to dozens of indecent assault charges and is looking forward to clearing his name at a jury trial, his lawyer says, as the 83-year-old faced a Sydney court for the first time over the allegations including eight fresh charges regarding a 10th alleged victim.

Jones was already facing 26 charges alleging he fondled penises, stroked thighs, squeezed bottoms, kissed “using his tongue”, and pulled one man’s scrotum, among other alleged acts, between June 2001 and December 2019.

Eight fresh charges of assault with an act of indecency were laid overnight, bringing Jones’ total charges to 34.

“Yesterday, the man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for an additional eight counts of assault with [an] act of indecency relating to a 10th [alleged] victim,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Jones was arrested at his luxury apartment in Circular Quay on November 18. He has now been charged with 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 19 counts of assault with an act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault.

The former broadcaster was shielded by his lawyers as he stepped out of a car and into a waiting media scrum outside Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, wearing a dark jacket, red trousers and a mustard yellow tie.

He was sworn at and called a “maggot” by a heckler outside.

Jones’ case was listed for mention in the court at 9.30am before Judge Michael Allen, the NSW chief magistrate. However, Jones entered the courtroom at 10.45am and sat in the front row of the public gallery holding his cane, represented by lawyers Chris Murphy and Bryan Wrench.

The court heard the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions would be prosecuting Jones’ case rather than the police. Prosecutor Matthew Harper said they were awaiting the brief of evidence.

Alan Jones arrives at court on Wednesday.Credit: James Brickwood

Wrench said he understood “this will be a trial by jury”.

“That is a matter Mr Jones welcomes,” he said.

Wrench said there had been “untruths” published, and Jones “looks forward to clearing his name”.

He formally entered not-guilty pleas to all 34 charges and asked that Jones be excused when the matter returns to court.

The judge said the case would now go through the committal process and ultimately be committed for trial involving a judge and a jury of 12, which would be in the District Court.

Jones stood as Allen said his case was adjourned to March 11, and the brief of evidence would be served on the Crown and his lawyers.

Outside court, Jones read a prepared statement, declaring he was “certainly not guilty”.

“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 these allegations,” he said.

Allegations

Police allege the offending occurred at Jones’ former home in Newtown, other places across Sydney, his farm at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands, and in Kiama on the South Coast.

Jones was granted bail by police with restrictions on his travel and contact with alleged victims.

Variations were made to his bail on Wednesday regarding temporary travel away from his Sydney address.

Alan Jones leaving Day Street Police Station after being released on bail.Credit: James Brickwood

Strike Force Bonnefin was formed after a lengthy investigation by the Herald and The Age, which revealed last December allegations Jones had used his position of power to prey on a number of young men.

Jones’ alleged victims cannot be identified. The youngest was 17 at the time, police previously said.

“They fully are aware, as are the investigators, that the hard work is just beginning, and they have given their statements fully aware that they will go before the courts,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said at a press conference after Jones’ arrest.

Police said Jones knew some of his alleged victims personally, some professionally, and in some circumstances, the alleged abuse took place the first time they met Jones.

The 11 aggravated indecent assault charges relate to a former employee of Jones, with the circumstances of aggravation being that the man was under Jones’ authority.

Jones’s legal team had already said he “denies any misconduct” and would defend the charges.

“Allegations have been made. Nothing has been tested, nothing has been proven,” lawyer Chris Murphy said. “He is presumed innocent.”

Jones, a former teacher and rugby union coach who became one of the most powerful figures in the Australian media, announced his retirement from radio station 2GB in May 2020.

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