Alan Jones will reportedly not face a jury trial over allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching. The charges for the 84-year-olds will be reorganised, with some being downgraded and others amended.
Please note: This article discusses themes of sexual assault that may be distressing to some readers.
Two of the original complainants will not be called as witnesses, dropping the total number of complainants to nine. Jones still faces 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching after nine more counts of indecent assault were added earlier this week.
Jones, who vehemently maintains his innocence, was excused from attending and did not appear in court.
Despite earlier reports that the matter would be heard before a court, Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court today that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has “made a decision for these matters not to be heard by trial by jury, but to be heard in the local court”.
Last November, NSW Police arrested Jones at his luxury Circular Quay apartment over allegations that he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men.
The arrest is the accumulation of a nine-month-long investigation into the former 2GB presenter. Strike Force Bonnefin, run by the State Crime Command’s child abuse and sex crimes squad, was established following a lengthy investigation by the Herald and The Age in December 2023, which alleged that the 83-year-old had used his position of power, first as a teacher and later as the country’s top-rated radio broadcaster, to allegedly prey on several young men.
The key allegations, which Jones strongly denies, come from a former 2GB employee who has accused Jones of indecent assault, saying that what Jones did to him was a criminal offence. “If I went to the police, Jones could be charged… He cannot die without people knowing what he’s done”.
Jones is renowned for his strong and often controversial opinions. He was a significant name in Australian talk-back radio from starting on 2UE in 1985 to his retirement from 2GB in 2020. At the time of his retirement, Jones cited ill health as the reason for his leaving. However, many news outlets reported that the change was a forced resignation in response to negative comments about former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. From 2013, Jones also appeared on Sky News’ Jones & Co, but in 2021 his contract was not renewed.
There was no explanation in the court as to why the two complainants would no longer take part in the prosecution case or why some charges would be withdrawn or downgraded.
The matter will next be heard on November 11 to fix a hearing date, the court heard.
