Top Australian radio host Alan Jones allegedly groped men as they drove, court hears
Alan Jones is facing 20 charges of indecent assault and two of sexual touching against six men.
Veteran Australian radio personality Alan Jones is accused of groping two men's genitals while they were driving and attempting to kiss several others without their permission, a Sydney court was informed on the opening day of a high-profile trial.
The influential media figure and former coach of Australia's national rugby team faces 20 charges of indecent assault and two of sexual touching involving six men.
Jones, 85, denies all charges, which allegedly occurred between 2003 and 2020 at public events, or at Jones's residences or workplace.
On Monday, his legal team questioned the victims' credibility, asserting the case was driven by "rivalry, treachery, double-dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more."
In their opening statements, prosecutors detailed the alleged victims' claims.
One man, identified as complainant J, was a teenager when he first met Jones during an on-air interview about his recent sporting achievements.
Prosecutors alleged that Jones later gave the teen a mobile phone, a car, and paid him AU$400 fortnightly, which later increased to $600.
On one occasion, while driving to Jones's property in Fitzroy Falls, approximately two hours south of Sydney, Jones allegedly touched the victim's penis and later tried to kiss him without consent.
Nine of the charges relate to complainant J, who was 17 when the alleged offenses began.
The packed courtroom also heard that another alleged victim, complainant C, worked as Jones's driver and is expected to testify that Jones touched his penis multiple times while driving the radio host home from work.
Prosecutors stated that Jones also attempted to kiss him, often in the lift at the radio studios, with both the groping and kisses occurring without the victim's consent.
Jones also sent explicit messages to complainant C, prosecutors alleged, claiming the victim felt compelled to respond to avoid jeopardizing his career.
Another victim was a 17-year-old high school student invited to Jones's Fitzroy Falls property, where the radio star attempted to kiss him.
During the defense's opening statements, Jones's lawyers argued he had been subjected to a "trial by media" and that rivals had encouraged the victims to file complaints.
Jones's lawyers contended that some victims had "concocted" their allegations and that in court, claims must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge-only trial is expected to hear from over 70 witnesses.
Jones was first arrested in November 2024 after police initiated an investigation into sex abuse claims initially reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
For decades, Jones dominated Sydney's airwaves with his talkback radio show on 2GB. He retired in 2020, citing health issues.
Before his broadcasting career, Jones was a teacher and coached the Wallabies – Australia's national rugby team – for four years in the mid-1980s.