Arabic version: بدء محاكمة آلان جونز أمام قاضٍ منفرد في سيدني

According to ABC News, Alan Jones is set to face a lengthy judge-only trial in Sydney after pleading not guilty to 22 charges relating to six male complainants. The 85-year-old former broadcaster has said the allegations are “baseless” or distort the truth, while his lawyers have said he is anxious for the case to begin.

More than 70 witnesses are expected to give evidence before Judge Glenn Walsh at the Downing Centre in Sydney’s CBD. Judge Walsh said he would be both the judge of law and fact. The Local Court trial will have no jury, and the court is expected to attract significant media interest.

The charges proceeding to trial comprise 20 counts of assault with act of indecency and two counts of sexual touching. They relate to six complainants and followed earlier changes to the prosecution case, including dropped charges and the replacement of more serious allegations with lesser offences.

Prosecutors allege incidents occurred between 2003 and 2020, including at Jones’s Macquarie Street apartment, a public event and his former Fitzroy Falls property. They allege conduct including kissing and touching. Jones’s defence will argue that he committed none of the alleged offences.

The trial is due to begin on Monday, when the first complainant, identified only as “J”, is expected to give evidence. Judge Walsh rejected an application by Jones’s defence lawyers to prevent media reporting evidence from alleged victims, saying he was not persuaded he had the power to prohibit publication of evidence.