Charge withdrawn in Alan Jones trial, leaving five accusers in indecent assault case
Prosecutors have withdrawn one indecent assault charge against former broadcaster Alan Jones in his Sydney trial, leaving him facing 21 charges brought by five complainants.
Prosecutors in Sydney have withdrawn one charge against former broadcaster Alan Jones in his ongoing indecent assault trial, dropping an allegation brought by a complainant known as F. The charge had alleged that Jones touched and squeezed the buttocks of a then-17-year-old boy, over his clothing, at a public event in September 2012.
With that charge dropped, Jones still faces 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching without consent, brought by five complainants. The 85-year-old denies all remaining charges.
Evidence from complainants
The trial, now in its eighth week at Sydney's Downing Centre local court, has heard from three complainants so far. One, a former radio colleague, testified about alleged incidents at work and during a lunch. Another, a young athlete previously supported by Jones, described alleged assaults at Jones's property in Fitzroy Falls. A third, a high-profile former athlete, told the court Jones kissed him twice without consent.
That athlete said he "froze" when Jones kissed him publicly at a function attended by hundreds of people, describing shock and disbelief. However, four people who attended the same event told the court they saw nothing untoward. One attendee described Jones as "very professional" that night and said he saw no unusual familiarity between the two men. Another said he had told police at the time that he hadn't witnessed anything inappropriate.
The athlete has maintained his account, saying he cannot forget the incident, and alleged a second unwanted kiss occurred years later at Jones's waterfront apartment in Sydney, during which Jones reportedly said "I love you" before being pushed away.
On Monday, judge Glenn Walsh criticised the calling of witnesses with little to contribute, noting that those unable to recall seeing either Jones or the complainant at the event offered scant assistance to the court. These witnesses had been called by the defence.
Regarding the athlete's allegations, Jones faces one charge of indecent assault and one of sexual touching without consent, both of which he denies. The remaining 19 charges relate to four other men and span incidents allegedly occurring between 2003 and the end of Jones's 35-year broadcasting career.
