The trial of 85-year-old Alan Jones, the retired Sydney radio broadcaster and former coach of the Australian national rugby team, commenced on Monday at the Downing Centre Local Court. Jones faces 22 charges, including 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent, involving six men and boys. The alleged offenses are said to have occurred between 2003 and 2020 at various locations throughout Sydney and at his farm in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
Jones has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. Opting for a bench trial, he is being tried by Judge Glenn Walsh rather than a jury. The legal proceedings are expected to span several months and involve testimony from more than 70 witnesses. Due to legal restrictions, the identities of the six complainants remain protected.
During the opening of the case, one complainant testified that he was a 14-year-old athlete when he first met Jones. The individual alleged that Jones provided him with financial support, a vehicle, and a phone to assist with his athletic training. However, the complainant described the relationship as being marred by unwanted groping and kissing, stating that he felt trapped because he was driving while Jones allegedly touched his genitals. "I had one of the most powerful men in the country in the car. I had to focus on the road," the athlete told the court.
Prosecutor Georgina Wright noted that another complainant, who had worked on Jones' radio program at age 21, would provide testimony alleging that Jones frequently called him "darling" and engaged in unwanted touching while the man was driving.
Defense lawyer Gabrielle Bashir disputed the allegations, claiming they were fabricated and influenced by rivals in the media. Bashir argued that the case is driven by "rivalry, treachery, double dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more." She further contended that the prosecution’s case was "inflamed" and contained "contamination" and "reconstruction," and that the court would see evidence of matters that were not reported to the police. Jones and his legal team did not provide comments to reporters upon their arrival at the court.
Before his career in radio, Jones was a prominent figure in Australian rugby, serving as the coach of the Wallabies for four years beginning in early 1984, during which time the team won 86 of 102 matches. He also held significant influence in conservative politics, notably working as a speechwriter for the late Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, who served from 1975 until 1983 and died in 2015.
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