Alan Jones now faces 25 separate charges of indecent assault and two charges of sexual touching connected with nine separate alleged victims, after legal authorities disclosed that two individuals would no longer be involved in the criminal matter.
Court Developments
The accused was scheduled to be present in the local court on Thursday to respond to 44 original counts of inappropriate conduct involving eleven alleged victims aged 17 and older. But, he was excused to be present during the abbreviated hearing at the court location.
The magistrate learned that 17 of the counts were dismissed and two alleged victims were removed from the proceedings.
“There’s been a very significant development in the defendant’s case,” legal counsel his representative stated to the court.
Defense Arguments
The lawyer explained that Jones had submitted pleas of not guilty on all of the downgraded charges. The case will proceed in a magistrate’s court overseen by a judicial officer, rather than in the superior court before a judge and jury.
The defense sought an eight-week adjournment to discuss what he called “ongoing” evidence sharing issues, including claimed leaks to the media.
The lawyer highlighted that new allegations had surfaced on earlier that week, and journalists were informed quickly after the defense was made aware by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Trial Timeline
Sharon Freund initially questioned the extent of the proposed adjournment but in the end approved the application. The proceedings is set to reconvene on 11 November, with the legal case slated for next year.
The magistrate was told that the prosecution projected the hearings would require a month and a half, while the Jones’s lawyer indicated it could take several months.
“We lack the resources to deal with a lengthy trial,” the magistrate commented, noting that the case was a “heavy burden on already stretched resources.”
History
The 84-year-old was initially charged with committing a range of violations in multiple settings across the state between the year 2001 and more recently.
Police formed a special task force in last year to look into alleged inappropriate acts and sexual touching events connected with Jones.
The former host has earlier rejected all wrongdoing and mentioned that he was considering legal action against Nine newspapers for what he called “demonstrably false” claims.
The defendant was previously in court in late 2024, when it was indicated that he would stand a panel trial.
“I am certainly not guilty, and I’ll be presenting my defense to a jury,” Jones stated at the previous hearing. “I want you to understand … these allegations are all completely unfounded or they distort the truth.”
