Alan Jones appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Monday, 3 August 2026, for the start of his trial. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Jones has enjoyed decades at the center of attention, wielding power through his radio show, television program, and political connections. But inside the courtroom, he was stripped of his dominance and forced to listen.
The trial involves 22 separate allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching. Jones has pleaded not guilty and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
At first, Jones sat not in the dock but behind his lawyers, quietly conversing and showing handwritten notes in a black notebook with a silver pen. At one point, he was asked to move to another seat so he would not be in the eyeline of the first witness, Complainant J.
The defense strategy was apparent from the start: they will seek to undermine the "credibility and reliability" of the accusers. His barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, told the court: "Rivalry, treachery, double-dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more are all at the heart of this case." She added that "rumours and innuendo have been thrown at Alan Jones for years."
The defense said it would expose what the complainants "did not tell the police, what they left out of their statements... but that we have discovered: concoction, contamination and reconstruction." Bashir stated: "Mr Jones since day one has said he was not guilty of all these charges."
The prosecution argued a common thread: people too afraid, too indebted, or too ashamed to speak up. The court heard that Jones allegedly financially supported the family of Complainant A. The then-17-year-old was invited to Jones's Fitzroy Falls property, where Jones allegedly forced himself on him, kissing him and grabbing his penis. The teenager told no one but wrote to his mother 10 days later: "Someone in power did something they should not have and I was so worried because of all the help they had offered."
Another teenager, a star schoolboy athlete from a poor background, received a weekly stipend, a mobile phone, and later a car from Jones. Jones allegedly grabbed his penis while the teen drove him to his country property. After an alleged non-consensual kiss, Jones told him: "You've been a really good boy, I'm going to give you some more money."
Complainant C worked for Jones at a radio station and was repeatedly groped. Jones allegedly called him "Donkey" and made comments about his penis size. Text messages from Jones to C were presented, commenting on the "size of his penis, dismay at never having seen C's penis" and declarations of love. C felt compelled to reply, fearing for his position in the media industry.
Complainant F, aged 17 when Jones allegedly squeezed his buttocks at a public event, told his mother but did not report to police because he "felt nobody would believe his word over the defendant's."
Complainant J, the first witness, a former record-breaking junior athlete now middle-aged, repeatedly asked for time to compose himself, closing his eyes and recalling incidents from over two decades ago.
The trial continues.