Sex abuse charges against Australian radio host downgraded

Sex abuse charges against veteran Australian broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones were downgraded on Thursday, with prosecutors removing some of the most serious counts. Jones, 84, now faces 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching, after authorities reduced 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault and dropped several charges related to alleged victims who were previously part of the case. The allegations concern nine men dating back two decades.

The case will be heard before a magistrate, not a jury, in New South Wales, with the matter returning to court next month. Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund said there was a reformation of the case after two alleged victims withdrew, though she did not provide an explanation for their withdrawal.

Jones’s lawyer, Bryan Wrench, told the court the dropped charges represented "a very big development" and a "significant concession." He said there was no suggestion Jones had authority over the complainants, noting that there is no indication he exercised power over those individuals. Police have previously said some of the alleged victims knew Jones personally, and at least one had been employed by him."

Jones has repeatedly denied the allegations, telling reporters outside court in December that the claims were either "baseless" or "distort the truth." A former teacher, he coached Australia’s national rugby union team from 1984 to 1988 before transitioning to a lengthy radio career. He also worked as a speechwriter and adviser for Liberal Party figures, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, and launched several unsuccessful bids to represent the party in state and federal politics.

A staple of Sydney airwaves on local station 2GB for decades, Jones balanced radio duties with television commentary until he retired from full-time work in 2020, citing health issues. The broadcaster has been a polarising figure, attracting one of the nation’s largest audiences while repeatedly drawing controversy. He drew headlines in 2012 for remarks about then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard and faced a major advertiser boycott in 2019 after suggesting someone should "shove a sock" down the throat of New Zealand’s leader Jacinda Ardern. Jones has also faced defamation suits that have been resolved in his favor on multiple occasions.