<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335593</docID> <postdate>2024-12-18 12:13:40</postdate> <headline>‘Baseless’: Alan Jones fights indecent assault charges</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-335594" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241218113333282109-original-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="1110" height="740" /></p> <caption>Former broadcaster Alan Jones said the allegations against him were "baseless or distort the truth". (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Duncan Murray and Neve Brissenden</b> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>A defiant Alan Jones has denounced claims that he indecently assaulted almost a dozen people, speaking out on the same day he was hit with fresh charges relating to another alleged victim.</strong></p> <p>The veteran broadcaster appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday to answer a slew of charges linked to alleged indecent assaults spanning almost two decades.</p> <p>Supporting himself with the help of a cane, the 83-year-old emphatically denied the allegations after a brief hearing at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.</p> <p>"I am certainly not guilty and I'll be presenting my account to a jury as you've heard this morning," Jones told a scrum of waiting media.</p> <p>"These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth."</p> <p>Jones said prior to being arrested he was given no opportunity by police to respond to any of the claims.</p> <p>"I have never indecently assaulted these people," he said.</p> <p>"The law assumes that I am not guilty and I am not guilty.</p> <p>"I am emphatic that I'll be defending every charge before a jury in due course."</p> <p>Jones' lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court his client welcomed the opportunity to clear his name at a trial before a jury.</p> <p>"There have been many … untruths published by the media and the police in this matter," Mr Wrench said.</p> <p>"The arrests were very much choreographed and scripted. He was always going to meet these allegations."</p> <p>Shortly before the scheduled court appearance, it was revealed another eight indecent assault charges had been levelled relating to a 10th complainant.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>With the case drawing a large amount of media interest, Chief Magistrate Michael Allen was forced to ask some journalists to wait outside the court while other matters were called.</p> <p>"The court will get to the matter which I'm sure is interesting most of you at the appropriate juncture," he said.</p> <p>Police arrested the renowned broadcaster at his luxury apartment in Sydney's Circular Quay in November.</p> <p>Another alleged victim came forward soon after the highly publicised arrest, resulting in authorities bringing two additional charges at that time.</p> <p>NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb previously said it was anticipated other complainants would come forward after the allegations became public.</p> <p>"There's no such thing as a matter that's too old to be investigated," she said.</p> <p>"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."</p> <p>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.</p> <p>He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.</p> <p>Jones also coached the Australian national men's rugby union team between 1984 and 1988 and his tenure included a number of historic achievements for the Wallabies.</p> <p>These included 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> <p>The State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin in March to investigate media reports airing allegations of abuse by Jones.</p> </body>