The trial of former broadcaster Alan Jones begins on Monday at Sydney's Downing Centre local court, where he faces 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching. The 85-year-old is accused of offences against six complainants between 2003 and 2020, with proceedings expected to last four months and involve 76 witnesses.
Judge-alone trial and charges
Judge Glenn Walsh will preside over the judge-alone trial, hearing evidence from six alleged victims. The charges include 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching. In 2018, the offence of indecent assault was replaced by sexual touching, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
The youngest complainant, who was 17 at the time of the alleged offending, is giving evidence in camera (closed courtroom) on Monday after opening statements from both prosecution and defence. On Friday, Judge Walsh rejected a defence attempt to prevent media reporting of complainants' evidence, stating he was not satisfied that in-camera meant a non-publication or suppression order.
Complainant J's allegations
Complainant J, whose case accounts for nine of the 22 charges, told police he met Jones as a young man and was given a mobile phone by the then 2GB breakfast host, who invited him to visit his Macquarie Street apartment. Jones allegedly put his arms around Complainant J, gave him a "squeeze" and a "peck" on the mouth, and said "I love you mate". The court also heard that Jones allegedly touched Complainant J's penis while driving him to Fitzroy Falls in the NSW southern highlands.
Prosecutors argue there is a pattern of alleged behaviour by Jones involving the targeting of "significantly younger men" in his professional and social circle. They told the court it is "improbable" that two similar accounts of Jones allegedly touching a complainant's penis while driving would be "untrue", noting that each complainant was driving and there was "no reciprocity prior to the touching".
Defence and Jones's denial
Jones's barrister, Claire O'Neill, had argued that in-camera evidence should not be published, but Judge Walsh disagreed, noting that Complainant J was not "fussed" by media reporting. Jones has denied all wrongdoing, stating outside court in December 2024: "I have never indecently assaulted these people. The law assumes that I am not guilty, and I am not guilty."
Two of the six complainants told police they were assaulted on the first occasion they met Jones: one at a fashion show and one at a fundraising meeting. NSW police formed Taskforce Bonnefin after alleged victims came forward following a report in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age.
The trial is expected to run for four months, with evidence from 76 witnesses. Jones faces a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment for each sexual touching charge if convicted.
