Alan Jones arrives at court in Sydney for sexual touching, indecent assault trial

The veteran broadcaster will front a Sydney court on Monday for the start of his blockbuster trial, where he will face sexual touching and indecent assault allegations.

Steve Zemek
NewsWire
Alan Jones, the veteran Australian broadcaster, faces trial on 22 charges including 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching.

Alan Jones has arrived at a Sydney court for the start of his blockbuster trial during which he will face his six accusers.

The veteran broadcaster’s sexual touching and indecent assault trial is scheduled to get underway at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.

Mr Jones was met by a massive media scrum as he exited his black BMW and walked into court.

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Mr Jones refused to answer questions while being escorted inside.

Walking with a cane and wearing a navy dress jacket, Mr Jones mostly kept his head down before entering Downing centre.

The 85-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching relating to six alleged victims.

Mr Jones has consistently denied the allegations that he touched the men on the penis or buttocks or kissed them.

The charges related to alleged incidents at Mr Jones’ Circular Quay apartment, his Fitzroy Falls farm, at his work premises, the Gunners Barracks restaurant at Mosman and at social functions across Sydney between 2003 and 2020.

Mr Jones’ legal team includes barristers Gabrielle Bashir SC, Michael Burke and Claire O’Neill, as well as solicitors Bryan Wrench and Chris Murphy.

Alan Jones is facing trial on sexual touching and indecent assault allegations.
Alan Jones is facing trial on sexual touching and indecent assault allegations. Credit: News Corp Australia

The court has previously heard that the Crown prosecution will rely on “tendency” and “coincidence” evidence during the trial.

The Crown will argue, the court has been told, that Mr Jones had a tendency to have a sexual interest in younger men and to sexually touch them in professional and social settings.

The judge-alone trial is being overseen by Judge Glenn Walsh and is scheduled to run for several months.

Police launched Strike Force Bonnefin and began investigating Mr Jones in March 2024 and he was arrested at his Circular Quay apartment on November 18, 2024.

The court has been told that 76 crown witnesses are expected to give evidence during the trial, and that “oodles” of character witnesses will be called by Mr Jones’ defence.

At one point, Mr Jones was facing 44 charges relating to 11 alleged victims.

Alan Jones is facing trial on sexual touching and indecent assault allegations. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
Alan Jones is facing trial on sexual touching and indecent assault allegations. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia

Prosecutors have over the last year withdrawn 22 charges against Mr Jones and five complainants have dropped out of the proceedings.

Mr Jones has not fronted court since his first appearance in December 2024 following his arrest.

“These allegations are either baseless or distort the truth,” he said outside the Downing Centre Court at the time.

“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.”

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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