<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335593</docID> <postdate>2024-12-18 16:30:40</postdate> <headline>Defiant Alan Jones welcomes jury test for abuse claims</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 labelled claims he indecently assaulted almost a dozen people as baseless, on the same day police brought 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>"These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth," the one-time talkback king told a media scrum.</p> <p>"I have never indecently assaulted these people."</p> <p>Jones said he intended to present his account to a jury and would not be engaging in a "running commentary" in the media.</p> <p>"I am emphatic that I'll be defending every charge before a jury in due course," he said.</p> <p>"The law assumes that I am not guilty and I am not guilty."</p> <p>Jones said NSW Police gave him no opportunity to respond to any of the claims before taking him into custody - a highly publicised arrest that his lawyer Bryan Wrench described as "choreographed and scripted".</p> <p>Mr Wrench indicated in court that Jones would be pleading not guilty to all charges, saying his client looked forward to clearing his name.</p> <p>"There have been many ... untruths published by the media and the police in this matter," he said.</p> <p>"He was always going to meet these allegations."</p> <p>Shortly before Jones' scheduled court appearance, it was revealed another eight indecent assault charges had been levelled against him relating to a 10th complainant.</p> <p>The broadcaster is accused of indecently assaulting the male a number of times in late 2003 and early 2004, including several alleged incidents in the Southern Highlands.</p> <p>On one of those occasions, Jones allegedly touched their penis while kissing them on the mouth, while on another he allegedly touched their penis while masturbating himself.</p> <p>It takes the total number of charges 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>Allegations include that Jones fondled the penis of one of the complainants and kissed them on the lips and that he touched another on the bottom.</p> <p>The charges of aggravated indecent assault relate to a person who was previously directly employed by the broadcaster.</p> <p>With the case drawing a huge 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>A next hearing date was set for March 11, after prosecutors serve a brief of all the evidence to Jones' lawyers.</p> <p>Police arrested the renowned broadcaster at his luxury apartment in Sydney's Circular Quay in November.</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> </body>