Prosecutors have downgraded some of the most serious sex abuse charges against veteran broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones after a court hearing on Thursday. Mr. Jones now faces 27 charges which allege that he indecently assaulted or groped nine men over two decades.
Eleven charges of aggravated indecent assault - deemed more serious as they allegedly related to people under his authority - were downgraded on Thursday. Some charges were also dropped altogether.
The influential 84-year-old media figure has denied all charges and the case - which will now be heard before a magistrate, not a jury - will return to court next month.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund stated there was a reformation of the case after two alleged victims withdrew, although no explanation was provided as to their withdrawal.
Mr. Jones now faces 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching. His lawyer, Bryan Wrench, described the dropping of charges as a very big development and a significant concession.
There is no suggestion that... he had these complainants in his authority. He did not have any power over these complainants, Mr. Wrench stated. Police have previously indicated that some of the alleged victims knew the radio titan personally, and at least one had been employed by him.
Others were reportedly assaulted the first time they encountered him, according to NSW Police's Michael Fitzgerald.
In previous statements to journalists, Jones has dismissed the allegations as either baseless or distorted truths.
A former teacher, Mr. Jones coached Australia's national rugby union team from 1984 to 1988 before transitioning to a radio career. He has also held roles as a speechwriter and advisor for Liberal Party figures, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, and has made several unsuccessful bids to enter politics.
Recognized as a staple of Sydney's airwaves on local station 2GB for decades, Mr. Jones balanced his broadcasting career with TV commentary until retiring from full-time work in 2020 due to health issues.
His legacy as a polarizing figure includes considerable audience reach but frequent controversies, such as suggesting that then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father died of shame, and facing a massive advertiser boycott in 2019 for aggressive remarks about New Zealand's leader, Jacinda Ardern.
Jones has also faced multiple defamation lawsuits in his career.
Eleven charges of aggravated indecent assault - deemed more serious as they allegedly related to people under his authority - were downgraded on Thursday. Some charges were also dropped altogether.
The influential 84-year-old media figure has denied all charges and the case - which will now be heard before a magistrate, not a jury - will return to court next month.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund stated there was a reformation of the case after two alleged victims withdrew, although no explanation was provided as to their withdrawal.
Mr. Jones now faces 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching. His lawyer, Bryan Wrench, described the dropping of charges as a very big development and a significant concession.
There is no suggestion that... he had these complainants in his authority. He did not have any power over these complainants, Mr. Wrench stated. Police have previously indicated that some of the alleged victims knew the radio titan personally, and at least one had been employed by him.
Others were reportedly assaulted the first time they encountered him, according to NSW Police's Michael Fitzgerald.
In previous statements to journalists, Jones has dismissed the allegations as either baseless or distorted truths.
A former teacher, Mr. Jones coached Australia's national rugby union team from 1984 to 1988 before transitioning to a radio career. He has also held roles as a speechwriter and advisor for Liberal Party figures, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, and has made several unsuccessful bids to enter politics.
Recognized as a staple of Sydney's airwaves on local station 2GB for decades, Mr. Jones balanced his broadcasting career with TV commentary until retiring from full-time work in 2020 due to health issues.
His legacy as a polarizing figure includes considerable audience reach but frequent controversies, such as suggesting that then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father died of shame, and facing a massive advertiser boycott in 2019 for aggressive remarks about New Zealand's leader, Jacinda Ardern.
Jones has also faced multiple defamation lawsuits in his career.
