Nearly two years since prominent former broadcaster Alan Jones was arrested at his luxury harbourside apartment, he faces his lengthy trial from Monday for alleged offences against six men over almost two decades.
The 85-year-old’s high-profile arrest in November 2024 followed the end of his decades-long domination of Sydney’s airwaves years earlier. Strike Force Bonnefin was formed by NSW Police’s sex crimes squad following a major investigation by this masthead.
Jones has always maintained his innocence.
Now, the 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching spanning 17 years will be tested in a lengthy judge-alone Local Court trial that could last until close to Christmas. The proceedings involve six complainants and more than 70 witnesses.
The alleged crimes’ locations range from private spaces such as inside lifts at Jones’ residences and workplaces, to public venues including at fundraising events and a restaurant.
Accusations of unsolicited and unwanted touching of the alleged victims’ genitals or bottom or kissing their lips span from 2003 to 2020.
The relationships, prosecutors allege, were platonic, professional, or involved a power dynamic and significant age gap where Jones was an employer, mentor or benefactor. Some complainants were “perfect strangers” who were allegedly assaulted the first time they met Jones.
The Crown, led by Georgina Wright, SC, will seek to prove that Jones showed a pattern of behaviour by acting on his alleged sexual interest in “significantly younger” men. He had a tendency, they will argue, to act on this sexual interest by touching them in a professional or social context.
One complainant was allegedly indecently assaulted nine times in 2003 and 2004, mostly at Jones’ Fitzroy Falls farm and three times at his lavish Circular Quay apartment. After meeting him through a professional setting, Jones regularly made “significant payments” to him, the pretrial hearing was told. This man is due to be the first complainant to testify in the trial.
Another man who met Jones in a professional context was allegedly kissed on the lips by Jones five times in 2008, including in a workplace lift and at Jones’ Sydney apartment. The young man was allegedly indecently touched twice while he was driving as well as once at a Lower North Shore restaurant.
Prosecutors allege three men were at separate Sydney functions or events in 2012, 2015 and 2019. Two were strangers to Jones at the time, while another was a sports figure who received financial support from Jones after they had met through work.
Jones has vigorously denied all allegations and has been “anxious” to have his day in court, his lawyers earlier told the court.
Opening remarks in the Downing Centre Local Court hearing before Judge Glenn Walsh are slated to begin on Monday morning.
Jones is required to attend in person.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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