By Duncan Murray and Neve Brissenden in Sydney

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.

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.

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.

“These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth,” the one-time talkback king told a media scrum.

“I have never indecently assaulted these people.”

Jones said he intended to present his account to a jury and would not be engaging in a “running commentary” in the media.

“I am emphatic that I’ll be defending every charge before a jury in due course,” he said.

“The law assumes that I am not guilty and I am not guilty.”

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”.

Mr Wrench indicated in court that Jones would be pleading not guilty to all charges, saying his client looked forward to clearing his name.

“There have been many … untruths published by the media and the police in this matter,” he said.

“He was always going to meet these allegations.”

Shortly before Jones’ scheduled court appearance, it was revealed another eight indecent assault charges had been levelled against him relating to a 10th complainant.

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.

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.

It takes the total number of charges to 34, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under his authority.

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.

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.

The charges of aggravated indecent assault relate to a person who was previously directly employed by the broadcaster.

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.

A next hearing date was set for March 11, after prosecutors serve a brief of all the evidence to Jones’ lawyers.

Police arrested the renowned broadcaster at his luxury apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay in November.

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.

He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut.

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.