Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has been charged with historic indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning 20 years.
NSW Police stated Mr Jones was charged with a complete of 24 offences involving eight alleged victims.
Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones arriving at Day Avenue Police Station at the back of an unmarked police automobile on November 18, 2024. (ABC Information: Ethan Rix)
They included 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 9 counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching one other individual with out consent and two counts of widespread assault.
On Monday, NSW Police stated Youngster Abuse Squad detectives executed a warrant and arrested the 83-year-old at his luxurious Sydney condo at Round Quay about 7:45am.
Alan Jones (left) with lawyer Chris Murphy close by. (ABC Information: Keana Naughton)
Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett stated Mr Jones appeared “calm” on the time of his arrest.
He arrived at Day Avenue Police Station at the back of an unmarked police automobile at 11:15am.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald stated Mr Jones knew the alleged victims each personally and professionally, and that the youngest alleged sufferer was aged 17 years outdated.
He stated police seized numerous digital gadgets throughout the raid.
Linda Howlett says Alan Jones was “calm” on the time of his arrest. (ABC Information: Monish Nand)
The State Crime Command’s Youngster Abuse Squad established Strike Drive Bonnefin in March to analyze numerous alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019.
Mr Jones was granted bail and is anticipated to seem earlier than Downing Centre Native Courtroom on December 18, police stated.
The 83-year-old, carrying a inexperienced tracksuit and utilizing a strolling stick, ignored reporters as he left the police station late afternoon, shepherded into a close-by automobile by lawyer Chris Murphy.
Talking to journalists, Mr Murphy stated Mr Jones denied any misconduct.
Sydney-based solicitor and barrister Chris Murphy stated Alan Jones will “assert his innocence appropriately within the courtroom” and that he “denies any misconduct”. (ABC Information: Keana Naughton)
“Allegations have been made, nothing has been examined, nothing has been confirmed,” Mr Murphy stated exterior the police station.
“Alan Jones will assert his innocence appropriately within the courtroom.”
Arrest adopted ‘very advanced’ investigation
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb stated the arrest adopted a “very advanced” investigation.
“It is a results of a really lengthy, thorough and protracted investigation,” she stated at a press convention between Sydney and Wollongong.
Mr Jones leaving Day Avenue Police Station on bail following his arrest. (ABC Information: Keana Naughton)
Commissioner Webb stated detectives had been “working tirelessly” on the investigation.
“There isn’t any such factor as a matter that is too outdated to be investigated,” she stated.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, who additionally spoke on the press convention, declined to touch upon the matter.
Alan Jones has been arrested. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
“I can perceive the curiosity within the subject, nevertheless it’s simply not acceptable for me to touch upon it,” he stated.
The commissioner stated police anticipated different alleged victims might come ahead.
“I can not speculate on this explicit case, however what is usually the case is when it’s identified – the complete circumstances and people events concerned – different individuals might come ahead, and we’re anticipating that different individuals might come ahead,” she stated.
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Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald recommended strike drive investigators “for his or her tenacity and their exhausting work in bringing this matter earlier than the courts”.
“Historic issues comparable to this are extremely exhausting to analyze and convey earlier than the courts and I once more congratulate them for his or her ongoing investigation that may proceed on.”
He stated media reporting triggered the creation of Strike Drive Bonnefin and subsequent investigation into Mr Jones.
“Bonnefin and the power that was generated out of these newspaper articles have supplied the power for police to place these issues earlier than the courtroom,” he stated.
Superintendent Howlett thanked the alleged victims for coming ahead and requested the media to respect their privateness.
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Mr Jones’s lengthy profession within the public eye
Mr Jones had a broadcasting profession spanning greater than 35 years, with the shock jock dominating Sydney’s airwaves for many years.
He began his media profession as morning information presenter for 2UE in 1985
NSW Police arrested Mr Jones at his Round Quay dwelling. (ABC Information: Ethan Rix)
Mr Jones is best-known for his program on Sky Information and breakfast radio present on Sydney radio station 2GB, which he joined after leaving 2UE in 2002.
He was the morning broadcaster for the station for 18 years till Could 2020.
Mr Jones’s contract with Sky Information Australia was not renewed in November 2021.
The shock jock later joined streaming information channel ADH TV, which encompasses a slew of conservative political commentators.
His final present on the streaming station aired in November 2023.
Earlier than his broadcasting profession, Mr Jones was speechwriter and senior adviser to then prime minister Malcolm Fraser for 3 years.
He turned Australian rugby union coach in 1984 and coached Australia to victory in 102 matches over 4 years, together with successful the 1986 Bledisloe Cup.
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second.
That is the tip of the press convention
Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald and Superintendent Howlett have completed taking questions.
This is what we all know:
- Alan Jones has been charged with 24 offences towards eight alleged victims.
- Police will allege the youngest sufferer was 17 years outdated on the time of the offending.
- A number of the alleged victims have been identified to Mr Jones personally, however others knew him in a piece capability and have been employed by him.
- Different complainants didn’t know Mr Jones in any respect earlier than the alleged incidents happened.
- Mr Jones was ‘calm’ when police arrested him at his Sydney dwelling this morning, Superintendent Howlett stated.
- He’s anticipated to seem earlier than the courtroom on December 18.
