‘Grave concerns’ over radio king’s sexual abuse case
Adelaide Lang |
Alan Jones has “grave concerns” about the legality of a police raid when the ex-talkback radio star was arrested for multiple counts of historical sexual abuse, his lawyer says.
The one-time shock jock is accused of sexually touching 11 alleged victims, the youngest of whom was aged 17 at the time of the alleged act of indecency.
The 84-year-old has indicated he will plead not guilty to 35 historical offences, which police claim spanned nearly two decades, during a time when he dominated the Sydney airwaves.
Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench says there are “grave concerns” about the search conducted during the November arrest.
“We wrote to police regarding our concerns about the search,” he told Sydney’s Central Local Court on Tuesday.
“(Including) the legality, journalistic privilege and issues regarding legal privilege,” he said.
NSW Police have since engaged legal representation and Mr Wrench hoped the issues would be resolved “as expeditiously as possible”.
He and his client were also very concerned to receive a brief of evidence on Tuesday morning, containing witness statements apparently held by police since December, the court was told.
The statements had not been previously flagged or disclosed, but police allegedly responded that they did not have a duty of disclosure, Mr Wrench added.
Police had assured Jones’ lawyers they were working tirelessly on the case.
“They seem to be a bit puffed out,” Mr Wrench said.
“Hopefully they will produce everything, not just what they think they need to prove this case against my client.”
A download of data on Jones’ phone has been served on his lawyers and will form part of the case against him, the court was told.
Jones did not appear in court on Tuesday and the matter was adjourned until September 18.
He is accused of fondling one of his alleged victims and kissing them on the lips, according to one of the claims made in a raft of allegations.
He is also accused of touching another on the bottom.
Jones’ arrest in November came after an eight-month police investigation into a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019.
The veteran broadcaster vowed to fight the charges after his first court appearance in December.
“These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth,” Jones told reporters.
“I have never indecently assaulted these people.”
Jones has been charged with 33 counts of sexual touching without consent and indecent assault, including 11 aggravated charges because the alleged victim was under his authority.
The former high school teacher is also facing two charges of common assault.
The charges followed a hugely influential broadcasting career launched in 1985.
Jones became a feared interviewer who excelled at questioning leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken views.
He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut until 2020.
Alongside failed tilts at politics, he also coached the Australian national men’s rugby union team through some historical achievements between 1984 and 1988.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
AAP
