Alan Jones to face court over allegations of sex abuse

Alan Jones, a 85-year-old radio veteran, has appeared in court for the start of a trial over allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching. He faces 22 charges relating to six male complainants. According to ABC News AU, the charges include 20 counts of assault with act of indecency and two counts of sexual touching.

The alleged incidents occurred between 2003 and 2020 at various locations, including Jones' apartment, a public event, and his former property. Jones has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denies all wrongdoing. The prosecution case, opened by barrister Georgina Wright SC, described in detail the alleged offending against one complainant, who met Jones as a teenager while he was a promising young athlete.

The trial is expected to feature more than 70 witnesses and run for several weeks, with Crikey reporting it will last four months. Jones allegedly made payments to one complainant, initially $400 a week and increasing to $600 a week, in exchange for help with his training.

Brief written by urgent.news from Crikey, ABC News AU — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.