Veteran Australian broadcaster Alan Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing 10 young men over nearly two decades. He faces 34 charges related to incidents allegedly occurring between 2001 and 2019, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault.
Jones, a well-known figure in Australian media and former coach of the national rugby union team, has previously denied the accusations reported by The Sydney Morning Herald in 2023.
In his first public comments since his arrest in November, Jones asserted, “I have never indecently assaulted these people. These allegations are either baseless or distort the truth. You should know that prior to my arrest, I had no opportunity to answer any of these allegations to the police.”
Jones was arrested at his Sydney apartment on 18 November by detectives from the New South Wales (NSW) Police Child Abuse Squad, who also seized electronic devices during their search of his waterfront property.
Initially facing charges related to eight individuals, including a 17-year-old, police have since expanded the charges as their investigation continues. Aside from two counts of common assault, all the charges relate to sexual offences. Some of the alleged victims had personal connections with Jones, and at least one was employed by him. Others reportedly encountered Jones for the first time before the alleged assaults took place.
Jones, who spent decades as a prominent voice at Sydney’s 2GB radio station, also had television commentary roles before retiring in 2020 due to health issues.
Known for his polarising public persona, Jones has commanded one of Australia’s largest radio audiences. He has also faced multiple controversies, including suggesting in 2012 that former Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s father “died of shame,” and in 2019 making a remark about New Zealand’s then-prime minister Jacinda Ardern that led to an advertiser boycott.
