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After being arrested on November 18 on indecent assault charges, controversial broadcaster Alan Jones will face court on today at Downing Centre Local Court following accusations that he indecently assaulted nine alleged victims over a two-decade period.
Jones’s arrest in November came after a nine-month investigation into allegations conducted by detectives from Strike Force Bonnefin – run by the State Crime Command’s child abuse squad.
The special strike force was formed after The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age published findings from an in depth investigation that revealed multiple claims of inappropriate behaviour spanning 60 years.
The controversial broadcaster was served with an arrest warrant at 7.45am on Monday 18th of November and removed from his luxury Circular Quay apartment and taken to Sydney City police station, according to reports.
At the time of the Herald’s initial reporting, Alan Jones denied all allegations and threatened to sue the masthead. Jones’ lawyer Mark O’Brien responded to the allegations by claiming that his client was the victim of a premeditated character assassination. “Over many years, certain journalists employed by Nine (formerly Fairfax) newspapers have been resentful of our client’s prominence as a commentator on many political and cultural issues, and the malicious and concocted allegations giving rise to the imputations constitute a concerted attempt to destroy our client’s reputation.”
What Has Alan Jones Been Charged With?
Alan Jones has been charged with 24 offences against eight alleged victims, as outlined in an address to media by Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald.
The offences include 11 charges of aggravated indecent assault where the victim was under the authority of the offender, nine charges related to assault with act of indecency; two charges of common assault, and two charges of sexual touching. Amongst the charges are allegations that he kissed, fondled genitals and stroked the thighs of nine victims.
Speaking on the afternoon of the arrest, Fitzgerald revealed that “Police will allege the events took place between 2001 and 2019, involving eight victims. The youngest of those victims was a 17-year-old at the time when the alleged offence took place.”
“I wish to commend the investigators of Strike Force Bonnefin [for] their tenacity and hard work … Historical matters such as this are incredibly hard to investigate,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said.
He continued, “The reports in the Herald and The Age did result in victims coming forward and the creation of Strike Force Bonnefin but this information, and a number of witnesses, have been assisting police over the years.”
It is suggested that Jones used his position of power to leverage his relationship with young men. Jones is a former teacher and rugby union coach who became a powerful and controversial figure in Australian media. He announced his retirement from radio station 2GB in May 2020.
Police Commissioner’s Statement Regarding Jones’ Arrest
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has responded to reports of Alan Jones’ arrest by addressing media at a press conference from Helensburgh, NSW.
The commissioner outlined how the arrest was preceded by a “long, thorough and protracted investigation” conducted by the strike force.
“I did visit the strike force some weeks and months ago, to look at the work they have been doing. It is very complex and protracted, and I know that those officers have been working tirelessly to lead today’s operation,” she said at the press conference, before stating that she expected the arrest would lead to additional reports and claims.
“I can’t speculate in this particular case, but what is often the case is when it is known – the full circumstances and those parties involved – other people may come forward, and we are anticipating that other people may come forward.”
A Timeline Of Allegations Against Alan Jones
According to a major investigation into Alan Jones and the allegations against him, investigative reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald, Kate McClymont AM, has uncovered a decades-long timeline of alleged assault, harassment, and intimidation.
The investigation, published in The Sydney Morning Herald in December 2023, detailed allegations of five men who each claim they were the victim of indecent assault or a gross misuse of power at the hands of Jones.
Jones denies all allegations.
Brisbane Grammar Student – 1965
According to reports by The Sydney Morning Herald, a then-23-year-old Alan Jones, was alleged to have put his hands down the pants of a student at Brisbane Grammar School.
Jones, who was teaching English and coaching cricket at the school, allegedly held the child’s testicles for “maybe 30 seconds to a minute”.
At the time, the student said that he was hit in the groin by a cricket ball.
Arrest For Public Indecency – 1988
In 1988 Jones was arrested in London at the public toilets in Soho – one of the city’s most well-known gay beats.
The broadcaster was charged with “outraging public decency” and “committing an indecent act”, but all charges against him were swiftly dropped.
Allegations of Assault From Alex Hartman – Mid 1990s
Alex Hartman, the late Australian tech businessman and protégé of Jones, told the Herald in 2017 that he was indecently assaulted by Jones as a young man.
In 1997, aged 17, the year 11 student, became a prominent figure in the Australian business industry after selling his software company to Telstra for a reported $1 million.
Over the years, Hartman confided in numerous journalists and friends about the indecent assault he was subjected to at the hands of Jones.
Hartman alleged that following his rise in public profile, Jones invited Hartman to his then-Newtown home for dinner, where records indicate that broadcaster allegedly assaulted the boy, who was left “terrified, scared, in shock and did not know how to get out,” according to the Herald investigation.
He also alleged that on another occasion where he was invited over to dinner, that Jones opened the door and exposed himself.
Notes referred to in the article allege that Jones’ behaviour was criminal and left the businessman with significant trauma.
After Hartman’s untimely death at the age of 39 in 2019, one of his friends from St Ignatius’ College Riverview, confirmed to the Herald that Hartman had confided in them about the alleged assault, which left Hartman “shocked and traumatised”.
When asked if he would take his case to the police, Hartman reportedly replied saying that Jones “was too powerful”.
Before his death, Hartman reportedly told four journalists that “I was his prey … I know I am not the only one, and this will come out somehow.”
Jones responded to the masthead’s questions at the time of the investigation with “vehement” denials of all allegations, adding that Hartman was “a person who had a history of engaging in dishonest conduct”.
Allegations from Marcus Schmidt – 2001
Marcus Schmidt was 26 years old when he alleges Jones groped his penis while driving.
Schmidt, who reached out to Jones for advice after being bullied over his sexuality in his teens, thought that he would find a kindred spirit in the broadcaster.
After agreeing to meet with Schmidt for dinner, Jones allegedly insisted that Schmidt drive Jones’ car to the restaurant. “The car ride was a bit outrageous,” he recalled, alleging that Jones “put his hand in my lap” and “touched my penis through my pants”.
After rebuking the broadcaster’s repeated attempts – which allegedly occurred again on the way home – Schmidt also said while he didn’t feel harassed because “it was something some gay men did”, he was “disappointed because I thought Jones might be better than that.”
Allegations Of Indecent Assault From Brad Webster – Mid 2000s
Brad Webster (a pseudonym used to protect the accuser’s anonymity) was only 20 when he began working for Jones as an assistant during his time at Sydney’s 2GB.
As part of Webster’s employment, he was frequently tasked with completing mundane tasks, telling McClymont about his experience working his way up from the bottom of the career ladder.
“I did every shit job there was … in the world of 2GB, I was very small, you couldn’t get any smaller than me.”
One of his responsibilities included driving Jones home from the 2GB offices to his home in the Circular Quay building known as The Toaster.
He said that while the drive only took 10 minutes, Jones would use the time as an opportunity to allegedly assault the 20-year-old.
“During those 10 minutes, it would be wandering hands and then it just gradually became him grabbing my dick. And he would go for it,” revealed Webster, nothing how horrible it was.
“He knew I wasn’t gay, so it was about power dynamics. I would be driving, and he would have put his hand on my leg, and then you’d sort of push his hand away, just try and wriggle out. But you’re driving, you’re absolutely trapped … he’d go the grope, he’d rub my penis.”
But it didn’t stop there. As Webster was made to transport the broadcaster’s bags up to his apartment, he alleges that Jones forcibly kissed him on the lips while he was unable to defend himself.
“It was forced on me. It was unwanted from a position of power.”
“If a 65-year-old man had pushed a 20-year-old woman into the corner of a lift, and began to kiss them non-consensually, what do we call that? We call that assault. That’s what he did to me.”
Webster also alleges that once the pair reached his apartment, Jones would change into his dressing gown and head into his office while Webster was made to complete chores like ironing Jones’ underpants.
After requesting permission to leave, Webster claims Jones exposed himself to the assistant.
“There’s no doubt that at the time when all this was going on, I truly felt helpless, you feel helpless,” Webster shares with the publication.
“The power he had was ridiculous. You cannot quantify the power that that man had.”
During his time at 2GB, Webster also alleges that Jones’ behaviour was common knowledge among his senior colleagues.
Recalling incidences when Jones would allegedly grope his penis under the table, Webster says that he was the subject of ridicule from fellow staff members.
“And then afterward – and this stuff made me angry – they would take the piss out of what just happened. Like, ‘Oh, did you enjoy that?’”
After remaining silent for years, Webster became fearful of Jones dying without the allegations coming to light. And, after the birth of his son, he was prompted to come forward and share his story after admitting he couldn’t imagine what he would do if the same was being done to his son.
One producer, who remained anonymous due to fear, said that while he did not personally witness any such occurrences, he did see “inappropriate behaviour and I saw it on a number of occasions.”
Reiterating the culture of protectionism within the business, he also said that Jones, “would be all over them – he wouldn’t take his hands off them”.
Allegations From Odin Childs – 2008
Odin Childs was working as a waiter at a Kiama restaurant when he alleges Jones grabbed and fondled him without consent.
Childs, who was 22 at the time of the alleged incident, recalls serving the inebriated broadcaster and another man as Jones brushed his leg.
While Childs thought nothing of the occurrence at the time, later in the evening when Jones was returning from the bathroom, the broadcaster allegedly pressed himself against the waiter before groping him.
“But as I turned to look and got distracted … I can feel his hand, not even a grab, but kind of like place his hand over [my trousers] and pull my penis to the side. It’s a disgusting feeling and it’s hard to talk about.”
Childs told the publication he was too scared to go to the police, because of the broadcaster’s status in the public eye.
“My anxiety was going off. I felt really sick,” he told the reporter. He also said that on Jones’ way out, he allegedly “puts his right hand on top of mine and his left hand under it and winks at me, saying ‘That’s for you, you don’t have to share it with anyone else’” referring the broadcaster passing him a $20 note.
Updates to come.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT for 24/7 support.
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