Alan Jones’ concerns ahead of mammoth sex abuse hearing
A massive sex abuse hearing against Alan Jones has been postponed despite the radio presenter’s claims he was not kept informed of the police investigation into him.
The 84-year-old man faces 25 charges of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching against nine alleged victims.
There were 139 prosecution witnesses in the case, Crown prosecutor Emma Curran told Downing Center Local Court on Tuesday.
Efforts to reduce those numbers stalled because Jones did not say which senior barrister he was briefing, according to Magistrate Glenn Walsh.
Defense lawyer Bryan Wrench stated that his client would also call his own witnesses and said, “We believe there is an iceberg of exculpatory material.”
Jones’ legal team asked prosecutors to reconsider a decision made in September to hold the lengthy trial in the Local Court rather than a District Court jury.
The radio presenter, who denied the accusations, was charged following an investigation by Sydney Morning Herald journalist Kate McClymont in 2023.
Mr. Wrench said Tuesday that McClymont refused to provide investigative notes or interviews with witnesses to Jones’ defense team.
Journalists generally speak to sources under strict confidentiality and are not automatically required to disclose information to defense attorneys.
Mr Wrench also said police had refused to confirm whether the investigation into the former radio presenter had been completed.
Mr Wrench told the court that without those details Jones did not know the case he had to answer and might not be ready for the hearing in the second half of 2026.
“Although he was denied a jury trial, we do not want to deprive Mr. Jones of a fair hearing in this court.”
The judge briefly closed the lawyer’s statements and set the trial dates.
The trial will begin on August 3 and could last until December.
The case will return to court on November 20 for further management.
Mr Wrench did not speak to reporters outside court.
Jones had faced historic sexual offense allegations against 11 people, the youngest of whom was 17 at the time, until prosecutors refiled the case in September.
Allegations involving two alleged victims were withdrawn, and accusations that the conduct was aggravated or that Jones had power or authority over the alleged victims were withdrawn.
The former radio shock jock has denied all accusations.
The remaining allegations against Jones indicate a series of indecent assaults occurred between 2003 and 2020.
Jones’ sexual harassment allegedly occurred behind closed doors, in public spaces such as restaurants, the Sydney Opera House, and while two of the complainants took him around.
The 84-year-old man was arrested in November 2024 after an eight-month police investigation.
The accusations, which he claimed “are all either unfounded or distort the truth”, followed a highly influential broadcasting career that began in 1985.
Jones has become a feared interviewer, adept at questioning leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken views.
Before joining rival 2GB, he worked at Sydney radio station 2UE, where he broke ratings records for a long time until 2020.
Apart from his unsuccessful ventures in politics, he also coached the Australian national men’s rugby union team, achieving some historic successes between 1984 and 1988.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
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