Lawyer says witnesses could clear Alan Jones of sexual abuse allegations

Multiple witnesses who say they saw no evidence of sexual abuse could clear broadcaster Alan Jones, his lawyer told Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Friday as the 84-year-old faces trial on historical sexual assault charges. Jones has pleaded not guilty to 25 charges of indecent assault and two charges of sexual touching against nine alleged victims over 17 years, and is due to fight the allegations at a months-long hearing commencing in August, the defence said.

Jones’s lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court: "We received 800 pages of material we believe is exculpatory of Mr Jones," and said that included eight witnesses who said they did not see any of the alleged misconduct. The defence also issued nearly two dozen subpoenas after being told by the prosecution that all relevant evidence had been passed on, with Wrench adding that "the cupboard was bare." The prosecution has previously indicated it could call up to 139 witnesses and the hearing could run for up to four months.

The crown prosecutor said delays in producing some evidence were linked to issues of legal and journalistic privilege, including analysis reports on Jones’s phone. The court was told negotiations over privileged material are still ongoing and now include sensitive information about the complainants.

Jones was arrested in November 2024 after an eight-month police investigation.

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