Alan Jones’ indecent assault and sexual touching trial has been paused amid a surprise legal argument, delaying a trio of witnesses from giving evidence.
Prosecutor Georgina Wright, SC, told the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had foreshadowed, in a letter to Jones’ legal team that morning, that it wished to amend part of its case.
Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC, said she was seeking instructions about the defence team’s position, but she had cross-examined witnesses based on the existing case.
Judge Glenn Walsh adjourned the hearing until 2pm for legal argument about the issue.
Jones was excused from further attendance at the court on Wednesday.
The court was expected to hear further evidence on Wednesday from the former girlfriend of complainant “J”, who told the court yesterday he had confided in her 20 years ago that Jones had touched him inappropriately.
“J”, a former athlete, is one of six men who have accused Jones of unwanted kissing and touching between 2003 and 2020. The former 2GB host vehemently denies the allegations and is defending the charges.
The former broadcaster is standing trial on 22 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent. Of the charges, nine counts of indecent assault relate to “J”.
The former girlfriend of “J” told the court on Tuesday that he appeared at her parents’ home looking like he had “seen a ghost” before he told her Jones had touched him inappropriately.
“J” told her not to tell anyone what he told her, she said, and gave a firm “no” when she suggested he might want to report Jones.
She told the court that “J” told her in late 2024, after Jones’ arrest, that he wanted to “come forward and tell my truth” about Jones. She said she agreed to give a statement to police.
The mother of “J” and his former sporting coach were also expected to give evidence on Wednesday before the hearing was adjourned for legal argument.
The next complainant slated to give evidence in the trial is a man known as “C”.
The Crown has foreshadowed that “C” will testify that Jones touched him on his penis while he was driving the radio host home from 2GB.
Wright said in her opening address to the court that “C” would say Jones kissed him on the lips in the lift of Jones’ harbourside apartment building as he was holding the veteran broadcaster’s belongings.
“C” did not consent to this, the Crown says. The prosecution alleges similar conduct occurred when the men were alone in the 2GB lift.
Jones is charged with eight counts of indecent assault in relation to “C”.
The trial continues.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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