Retired broadcaster Alan Jones has claimed the historical sexual assault charges he faces are ‘baseless or they distort the truth’, as he delivered a fiery address outside court in the face of hecklers.
The 83-year-old appeared frail and ashen-faced and used a walking stick as he entered Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday morning, as he faces a slew of charges relating to ten alleged victims.
‘Shame Alan, shame!’ one man shouted as he made his through the media scrum flanked by his high-profile lawyers.
Jones came under verbal attack again as he left court where he addressed the media to protest his innocence.
‘Firstly, let me say this. I am certainly not guilty, and I’ll be presenting my account to a jury as you heard this morning,’ Jones said to reporters.
‘I will not be engaging in a running commentary in the media, but, I want you to understand this – these allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth.
‘And you should know that, prior to my arrest, I was given no opportunity by police to answer any of these allegations.
Pictured: Alan Jones, 83, arrives at court on Wednesday as he is shielded by his lawyers Brian Wrench and Chris Murphy
Jones came under verbal attack again as he left court and addressed the media to protest his innocence against the charges. ‘I am certainly not guilty,’ he told reporters
‘I have never indecently assaulted these people. The law assumes that I’m not guilty, and I am not guilty.
‘That’s all I can say at the moment, but I am emphatic that I’ll be defending every charge before a jury in due course. That’s all I’ve got to say and thank you.’
He was given a police escort to a waiting car through the crowd of media and hecklers as they yelled abuse at him and reporters peppered him with questions.
‘You’re absolutely vile – you’re a vile old man!’ yelled one bystander.
Jones was originally facing 26 charges, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under his authority.
The alleged offences related to nine people.
But on Wednesday morning, shortly before his scheduled court appearance, it was revealed another eight indecent assault charges had been levelled, relating to a tenth alleged victim.
It takes the total number of charges against Jones to 34, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under his authority.
Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench (pictured standing to his left) told the court his client would welcome a trial before a jury to clear his name
Jones was given a police escort to a waiting car through the crowd of media and hecklers as they yelled abuse at him and reporters peppered him with question
The previously laid charges related to alleged offences that took place between 2001 and 2019, with the youngest of the complainants aged 17 at the time.
Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court his client would welcome a trial before a jury to clear his name.
‘There have been many… untruths published by the media and the police in this matter,’ Mr Wrench said.
‘The arrests were very much choreographed and scripted. He was always going to meet these allegations.’
The matter has been adjourned until March 11.
Police arrested the renowned broadcaster at his luxury apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay in November.
Another alleged victim came forward soon after the highly publicised arrest, resulting in authorities bringing two additional charges at that time.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb previously said it was anticipated other complainants would come forward after the allegations became public.
‘There’s no such thing as a matter that’s too old to be investigated,’ she said.
‘What I’d say to victims is that there is no better time to come forward than now, and you will be listened to and we will take your matter seriously.’
Jones’ lawyer Chris Murphy said his client would defend the charges.
‘He’s presumed innocent,’ he said.
Jones began a hugely influential life on the airwaves in 1985 after a failed career in politics, becoming a feared interviewer who excelled at grilling leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken, conservative views.
He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.
The State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin in March to investigate media reports airing allegations of abuse by Jones.
