Updated ,first published
Alan Jones’ indecent assault and sexual touching trial was temporarily 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 it wished to amend part of its case.
Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC, said she had cross-examined witnesses based on the existing case.
Judge Glenn Walsh concluded after legal argument on Wednesday that the Crown did not require the court’s permission to make the changes.
He said he had formed a “firm view that there is no prejudice … whatsoever” to Jones arising from the proposed amendments.
The judge said Jones’ defence was that the alleged events “never occurred”, and changes to the detail of the charges that were unrelated to the alleged physical acts would not affect that position.
Jones was excused from attending court during the legal argument.
The court was expected to hear further evidence on Wednesday from the former girlfriend of complainant “J”, who told the court on Tuesday he had confided in her 20 years ago that Jones had touched him inappropriately. She will return to court on Thursday.
“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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