Alan Jones’ legal team flags major potential move
Radio icon Alan Jones is scheduled to face trial later this year, but a court has been told there could be a spanner in the works.
Alan Jones’ lawyers could yet make an application to delay his blockbuster trial as the former shock jock gets set to battle indecent assault and sexual touching allegations.
Lawyers for Mr Jones, 84, on Thursday told the court they could yet apply for a temporary stay of proceedings depending on material that is produced under subpoena.
The former 2GB host has denied that he indecently assaulted, groped and inappropriately touched nine alleged victims between 2003 and 2020.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Jones has pleaded not guilty to 27 charges – 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching.
The Local Court hearing before magistrate Glenn Walsh is scheduled to begin on August 3 and is anticipated to run for four months.
The parties were back in court on Thursday to work through pre-trial legal issues.
Mr Jones’s barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, raised the issue that on the last occasion the parties were in court, the Crown said all material had been served on the defence.
However, she told the court there were several outstanding items, including “exculpatory” statements made by potential witnesses to police.
Ms Bashir said there had been “oodles” of material that had not been served.
The court was told that police still needed to review tens of thousands of pages of evidence, and depending on material that will be produced on subpoena, there may be an application for a temporary stay of proceedings.
“There may be,” Ms Bashir said when asked by Mr Walsh if there could be a stay application.
A temporary stay would delay the start of the trial.
According to court documents, it’s alleged Mr Jones’s offending occurred in Sydney, Fitzroy Falls, Kiama, Mittagong, Tamworth and at his work premises and home.
He is alleged to have rubbed one alleged victim on the leg at a performance at the Sydney Opera House.
He is further alleged to have touched the penis of one man, on the outside of his clothing, at the Gunners’ Barracks restaurant at Mosman.
The court was previously told that as many as 160 witnesses could be called during what’s expected to be a marathon trial.
However, the Crown prosecution now says several of those witnesses will not be required.
Mr Walsh on Thursday flagged the possibility of the trial running into January.
Following his first court appearance in December 2024, Mr Jones strongly denied the allegations.
“I have never indecently assaulted these people,” he said at the time.
“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.”
The matter will return to court on May 4.
Originally published as Alan Jones’ legal team flags major potential move
