Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Alan Jones will front a Sydney court on Monday morning for the start of his blockbuster trial during which he will face his six accusers.
The veteran broadcaster’s sexual touching and indecent assault trial is scheduled to get under way at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.
The 85-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching relating to six alleged victims.
Mr Jones has consistently denied the allegations that he touched the men on the penis or buttocks or kissed them.
The charges related to alleged incidents at Mr Jones’ Circular Quay apartment, his Fitzroy Falls farm, at his work premises, the Gunners Barracks restaurant at Mosman and at social functions across Sydney between 2003 and 2020.
Mr Jones’ legal team includes barristers Gabrielle Bashir SC, Michael Burke and Claire O’Neill, as well as solicitor Bryan Wrench.
The court has previously heard that the Crown prosecution will rely on “tendency” and “coincidence” evidence during the trial.
The Crown will argue, the court has been told, that Mr Jones had a tendency to have a sexual interest in younger men and to sexually touch them in professional and social settings.
The judge-alone trial is being overseen by Judge Glenn Walsh and is scheduled to run for several months.
Police launched Strike Force Bonnefin and began investigating Mr Jones in March 2024 and he was arrested at his Circular Quay apartment on November 18, 2024.
The court has been told that 76 crown witnesses are expected to give evidence during the trial, and that “oodles” of character witnesses will be called by Mr Jones’ defence.
At one point, Mr Jones was facing 44 charges relating to 11 alleged victims.
Prosecutors have over the last year withdrawn 22 charges against Mr Jones and five complainants have dropped out of the proceedings.
Mr Jones has not fronted court since his first appearance in December 2024 following his arrest.
“These allegations are either baseless or distort the truth,” he said outside the Downing Centre Court at the time.
“I have never indecently assaulted these people.
“The law assumes I am not guilty, and I am not guilty.
“I am emphatic that I’ll be defending every charge.”
