Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones is scheduled to appear in a Sydney court starting August 3 to face 24 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching. The trial, expected to last several months, arises from allegations made by eight complainants relating to incidents alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2020 across various locations, including Sydney, Fitzroy Falls, Kiama, Mittagong, and Jones’s professional and residential premises. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty and has consistently denied the claims, reaffirming his intention to contest all charges before a jury.

During a court session on June 23, presiding Judge Glenn Walsh raised questions about whether Jones, given his age, would be required to physically attend court every day throughout the anticipated four-and-a-half-month trial. The judge suggested that Jones might attend some proceedings in person while appearing via videolink on other days, contingent upon any objections from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Jones’s defence, represented by barrister Gabrielle Bashir, indicated that solicitor Chris Murphy might later address the court on this matter.

The trial is set to take place in a relatively small courtroom within the John Maddison Tower of the Downing Centre Court complex. Judge Walsh emphasized that decisions regarding Jones’s attendance schedule would require consultation with the prosecution.

In addition to the attendance discussion, the court addressed several pre-trial procedural matters, including subpoenas related to the exchange of evidence. Judge Walsh granted Jones’s legal team access to certain subpoenaed materials but denied access to others, specifically requests concerning data extracted from Jones’s phone and information about its dissemination. The next court date for the case is set for July 13.

Earlier this month, prosecutors dropped one charge against Jones, reducing the total number of allegations from the original 27 to 26. The legal proceedings follow Jones’s initial court appearance in December 2024, where he publicly maintained his innocence, stating, “I have never indecently assaulted these people,” and emphasized the presumption of innocence under the law.

The case continues to attract significant public and media attention due to Jones’s high profile in Australia’s broadcasting landscape and the gravity of the allegations against him. Both prosecution and defence teams remain engaged in preparatory processes as the start date approaches.