Alan Jones has been hit with new charges after accusations were levelled by a tenth alleged victim, who claimed the embattled broadcaster repeatedly kissed him and grabbed his genitals.
The veteran broadcaster pleaded not guilty to 34 charges linked to alleged indecent assaults spanning almost two decades on Wednesday.
Shortly before court, an additional eight indecent assault charges were laid in connection to the tenth complainant, taking the charges against Jones to 34, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under his authority.
The new allegations from ‘Complainant J’ include that Jones kissed him on the mouth, touched his genitalia and that he on one occasion squeezed Complainant J’s penis as he masturbated his own, court documents seen by The n allege.
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.
‘I am certainly not guilty and I’ll be presenting my account to a jury as you’ve heard this morning,’ Jones told the scrum of waiting media.
‘These allegations are all either baseless or they distort the truth.’
Jones said that he was given no opportunity by police to respond to any of the claims prior t his arrest.
‘I have never indecently assaulted these people… I am emphatic that I’ll be defending every charge before a jury in due course,’ he said.
Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court his client welcomed the opportunity to clear his name at a trial before a jury.
‘There have been many … untruths published by the media and the police in this matter,’ Mr Wrench said.
‘The arrests were very much choreographed and scripted. He was always going to meet these allegations.’
The previously laid charges concern alleged offences that took place between 2001 and 2019, with the youngest of the complainants then aged 17.
The alleged offences occurred in Jones’ former Newtown residence, his luxury Circular Quay apartment, and at Fitzroy Falls and Mittagong in the Southern Highlands.
Previous allegations levelled against Jones include that he rubbed the inner thigh and genitals of multiple former employees and attempted to kiss others on the mouth and squeezed their bottoms.
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.
‘The court will get to the matter which I’m sure is interesting most of you at the appropriate juncture,’ he said.
Police arrested the renowned broadcaster at his luxury apartment in Sydney’s Circular Quay in November.
Another alleged victim came forward soon after the highly publicised arrest, resulting in authorities bringing two additional charges at that time.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb previously said it was anticipated other complainants would come forward after the allegations became public.
‘There’s no such thing as a matter that’s too old to be investigated,’ she said.
‘What I’d say to alleged victims is that there is… you will be listened to and we will take your matter seriously.’
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 n national men’s rugby union team between 1984 and 1988 and his tenure included a number of historic achievements for the Wallabies.
These included a grand slam of wins on their British Isles tour in 1984 and coaching the side to ‘s first Bledisloe Cup win in New Zealand in 39 years in 1986.
Strike Force Bonnefin was stood up in March to investigate media reports airing allegations of abuse by Jones.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028