Veteran Australian broadcaster Alan Jones was charged on Monday with 20 counts of sexual and indecent assault. The alleged crimes date back approximately 20 years.
Mr Jones was arrested by NSW Police at his Sydney home on Monday morning and taken to a police station where he was charged and remanded on bail to appear in court on December 18.
He was charged with 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, nine counts of assault with indecent conduct, two counts of sexual contact with a person without consent, and two counts of common assault.
“Allegations have been made but nothing has been tested and nothing has been proven,” Jones’ lawyer Chris Murphy said outside the police station, according to Australian media. “Alan Jones will properly maintain his innocence in court.”
Police said Jones knew the eight alleged victims in various ways, some personally and others he hired, at the time of the alleged assaults. The youngest person was 17 years old. The alleged incidents occurred between 2001 and 2019.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said media reports led to an investigation into Jones by the child abuse unit.
Mr Jones, now 83, also had a successful career coaching the Australian national rugby team, known as the Wallabies, from 1984 to 1987. His career as a broadcast writer began in 1985 and lasted approximately 35 years. He made his debut as a news presenter on Sydney’s 2UE and joined Sky News and breakfast radio 2GB in 2002. He held that role for 18 years and joined conservative streaming channel ADH TV in 2021, where he remained until last year.
Before joining broadcasting, Mr Jones was a speechwriter for former prime minister Malcolm Fraser and an English teacher at Sydney’s King’s School, SBS News reported.
