Alan Jones arrives at court for first day of long-awaited trial

Veteran Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones has appeared in court for the commencement of his trial, facing charges of indecent assault and sexual touching. The trial begins nearly two years after his initial arrest in November 2024.

Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to all 22 charges, which involve allegations from six male complainants. The charges include 20 counts of assault with an act of indecency and two counts of sexual touching. The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred between 2003 and 2020 at various locations, including Jones's apartment, a public event, and a former property in the Southern Highlands.

The judge-only trial, presided over by Judge Glenn Walsh at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court, is anticipated to continue for several weeks. More than 70 witnesses are expected to testify. The case has attracted significant media and public attention since Jones's highly publicized arrest at his Circular Quay apartment.

During his arrival at court on Monday, Jones was accompanied by his lawyer, Bryan Wrench. He did not address the assembled media before entering the courthouse. The proceedings follow a series of pre-trial hearings where some of the initial charges were either dismissed or reduced.