Alan Jones: Radio broadcaster released on bail after charges laid over 24 alleged offences of indecent assault

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has shuffled out of a Sydney police station on conditional bail after being charged with 24 alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning two decades.

Jones was arrested and taken into custody from his luxury residence at Circular Quay in Sydney after police executed a search warrant at his property on Monday morning.

Charges were laid on Monday afternoon for historical allegations against eight victims.

Around 2 hours after charges were laid, the 83-year-old slowly shuffled out of the station through a waiting media scrum to a vehicle.

Jones was wearing a green tracksuit with green slipper-like shoes and ignored the requests from comments from journalists.

Charges laid against Alan Jones

“In March 2024, State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad established Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019,” Police said in a statement.

“Following extensive inquiries, about 7.45am today (Monday 18 November 2024), strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man.

“The man was taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with a total of 24 offences against eight victims, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault- victim under authority of offender, nine counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touch another person without consent and two counts of common assault.

“He was granted conditional bail, to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 18 December 2024.”

Police revealed that one victim was aged 17 years old when the alleged crimes took place.

“I wish to commend the victims in their bravery in coming forward,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“They are aware, as are the investigators that the hard work is just begging. They have given their statements fully aware they will go before the courts.”

Police called for the privacy of victims to be respected as they were entering a “challenging time”.

“Bail was issued to the accused on certain conditions,” Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald added.

“They (the conditions) are to protect the victims and not to be contacted or harassed. There are also travel restrictions to ensure that he will appear before the court.”

Police confirmed “a number of electronic devices” had been seized and that the search warrant was now complete.

It is understood that Jones will soon leave the Day Street Police Station in Sydney following the charges and conditional bail.

His arrest followed a months-long investigation into allegations aired in Nine newspapers that the talkback host repeatedly used positions of power to abuse young men.

The claims include putting his hands down the pants of students while a school teacher and indecently assaulting a number of young men throughout his influential broadcasting career.

NSW police released a statement on Monday morning saying: “Child abuse squad detectives arrested a man following an investigation into alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning two decades.

It is understood NSW Police sought legal advice on evidence last week, before being advised they held sufficient information to carry out the arrest and search warrant.

7NEWS reported Jones was shocked by the arrival of police on Monday.

It is understood that Jones’ lawyer Bryan Wrench raced to the former broadcaster’s property on hearing news of police action.

He was later seen arriving separately from Jones at Day Street Police Station.

Police plead for other ‘victims’ to come forward

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb gave a statement on Monday morning saying police felt other victims may come forward after the arrest.

“This is a result of a very long, thorough, protracted investigation. I did visit the strike force some weeks and months ago to look at the work that they have been doing, it is very complex and protracted,” she said.

“There’s no such thing as a matter that’s too old to be investigated.

“What I’d say to victims is that there is no better time to come forward than now and you will be listened to and we will take your matter seriously.”

The former 2GB radio broadcaster and Wallabies coach has previously denied any wrongdoing.

2GB’s Ben Fordham reported that Jones was present during the search of his apartment before police transported him to Day St police station in the Sydney CBD.

Jones’s former cohort at 2GB, Ray Hadley, spoke briefly prior to his morning show on Monday and said he “had been aware of things happening behind the scenes for some time.”

“After working with Alan Jones for over three decades my relationship with him soured five years ago over allegations which have been aired in the Sydney Morning Herald previously,” Hadley said.

“I want to ensure that justice is served here and that commentators such as myself do not interfere with the process.

“My main concern is for the (alleged) victims and I will not be saying anything that may jeopardise the outcome of any court matters to come.

“I usually make comment after proceedings have come to a close and that will be the same in this case.”

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.