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Alan Jones, the controversial radio personality, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle that could see a delay due to an ongoing dispute over seized electronic devices. His legal team is considering a move to suspend proceedings in his sexual abuse case, which has yet to be resolved despite the devices being taken a year ago.
At the age of 84, Jones faces serious allegations with 25 charges of indecent assault and two of sexual touching, involving nine alleged victims. These charges date back to his heyday as a dominant figure on the airwaves. As of now, he maintains his innocence.
Jones is scheduled to contest these allegations in a hearing slated for August 2026. However, his defense attorney, Gabrielle Bashir SC, expressed concern in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, indicating that crucial information remains outstanding. “That is, in our submission, an unsatisfactory state of affairs,” Bashir remarked, emphasizing the delay in receiving necessary data.
In response, Crown prosecutor Emma Curran stated that the police have already submitted all the evidence they currently possess. Nonetheless, the issue lies with the fact that data from five electronic devices taken during Jones’ arrest has not yet been extracted or presented.
Crown prosecutor Emma Curran argued police had served all of the evidence in their possession, but they had not yet extracted data from five electronic devices seized during Jones’ arrest.
The former shock jock raised concerns about the legality of the search on his home and the seizure of the devices, which he claims are protected from disclosure by legal and journalistic privilege.
The electronic devices have not been searched as a result of the concerns communicated by his legal team, the court was told.
“What flows from that is the police are not in the position to serve the entirety of the brief of evidence until those (electronic) items have been reviewed,” Ms Curran said.
Ms Bashir contended she had repeatedly asked for material in relation to the search and seizure at her client’s home to no avail.
The prosecution was obliged to share the information, which could be relevant to an application to stay the proceedings, she said.
The suggestion that the prosecution was withholding any exculpatory material was strongly rejected by Curran.
Magistrate Glenn Walsh ordered that the brief of evidence against Jones be served on his lawyers by December 19 and adjourned the dispute surrounding disclosure until next year.
Jones was arrested in November 2024 after an eight-month police investigation into historical sexual assault.
He is accused of sexual misconduct against nine complainants between 2003 and 2020, in private as well as places including restaurants, events and the Sydney Opera House.
Two of the alleged victims were driving the former teacher around when he indecently assaulted them, according to prosecutors.
The charges, which he has claimed are “all either baseless or they distort the truth”, followed a hugely influential broadcasting career launched in 1985.
Jones became a feared interviewer who excelled at questioning leaders while dividing audiences with his outspoken views.
He worked with Sydney radio station 2UE before joining rival 2GB, where he was a long-time ratings juggernaut until 2020.
Alongside a failed tilt at politics, he also coached the Australian national men’s rugby union team through some historic achievements between 1984 and 1988.