Alan Jones firmly denies historical sexual assault claims, calling them baseless as he prepares for a court battle over multiple charges.
Sydney: Alan Jones, the veteran broadcaster, is facing some serious allegations. He’s denied all claims of historical sexual assault and insists the charges are either baseless or twisted. He’s gearing up to defend himself in court.
The 83-year-old, who used to host a show on 2GB, showed up at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court. His lawyer entered not guilty pleas for 34 charges that span nearly two decades and involve ten alleged victims.
Just before his court appearance, eight new charges were added to the mix, bringing the total to 34. These include serious accusations like aggravated indecent assault and sexual touching without consent. The alleged incidents took place between 2001 and 2019, with the youngest victim being just 17.
After the court session, Alan faced a crowd of reporters and onlookers. Despite some hecklers, he read a statement denying the allegations. He made it clear he’s not guilty and plans to present his case to a jury.
He stated, “These allegations are either baseless or distort the truth.” He also mentioned that he wasn’t given a chance to respond to the claims before his arrest, emphasizing his innocence.
His arrest came after a lengthy investigation by New South Wales police, which started in March and led to his apprehension in November. The police described the investigation as thorough, and there’s a chance more complainants could come forward.
The initial charges involved nine individuals, but with the new ones, the total number of complainants has risen to ten. Some of the allegations suggest that some victims were under his authority at the time.
Judge Allen, the Chief Magistrate, has pushed the case to March 11, 2024, noting that there are still several steps before it goes to trial. He acknowledged the media attention surrounding the case.
Alan’s legal team, including Bryan Wrench and Chris Murphy, is ready to fight hard in this high-profile case. Given his long-standing career in broadcasting and influence in political circles, this is a significant moment for him.
The courtroom has been buzzing with interest, with many people, journalists, and legal observers present during his appearance. While Alan has said he won’t be giving a “running commentary” on the case, he remains steadfast in his claim of innocence as he prepares for the upcoming trial.