<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>333363</docID> <postdate>2024-11-18 10:20:41</postdate> <headline>Alan Jones arrested over alleged indecent assaults</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-333364" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20211210001605248179-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Former broadcaster Alan Jones has been arrested by police investigating historical sex offences. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Alex Mitchell</strong> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>Veteran radio broadcaster Alan Jones has been arrested over indecent assault and sexual touching allegations spanning two decades.</strong></p> <p>Jones, 83, was arrested in Sydney on Monday morning before police performed a search on his luxurious Circular Quay unit.</p> <p>Investigators are yet to confirm that any charges have been laid.</p> <p>The arrest followed a months-long investigation into allegations aired in Nine newspapers that the talkback host had repeatedly used positions of power to prey on young men.</p> <p>Those allegations included putting his hands down the pants of students while he was a teacher and indecently assaulting a number of young men throughout his influential broadcasting career.</p> <p>Jones' lawyer Mark O'Brien denied the allegations on his client's behalf when they were first detailed in December 2023.</p> <p>"Our client denies ever having indecently assaulted the persons referred to... and (the) suggestion that he has is scandalous, grossly offensive and seriously defamatory of him," he said in a statement at the time.</p> <p>NSW Police on Monday said an arrest had been made after a near-nine month investigation.</p> <p>"In March 2024, State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019," a statement said.</p> <p>"Following extensive inquiries, about 7.45am strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man."</p> <p>Jones began broadcasting in 1985 after a failed political career and became a feared interviewer capable of grilling leaders while dominating the airwaves with his outspoken, conservative views.</p> <p>He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.</p> <p>His many controversies included suggesting former prime minister Julia Gillard's father "died of shame" and encouraging former New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern to be hit "with a few backhanders".</p> <p>Jones most recently broadcast via digital platform ADH TV, but he has not been on-air since November 2023, shortly before the indecent assault allegations were published.</p> <p>He also coached the Australian national men's rugby team between 1984 and 1988, with his tenure including a number of historic achievements for the side.</p> <p>They included leading the Wallabies to a grand slam of wins on their British Isles tour in 1984 and coaching the side to Australia's first Bledisloe Cup win in New Zealand in 39 years in 1986.</p> </body>