Alan Jones's lawyer criticises senior NSW police officer and vows to ...

3 hours ago

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones's lawyer has criticised a senior police officer and confirmed his client will defend himself against historical indecent assault and sexual touching charges.

Alan Jones - Figure 1
Photo ABC News

On Monday, NSW Police executed a search warrant at the 83-year-old's Sydney harbourside home and charged him with 24 offences involving eight alleged victims spanning two decades.

The charges included 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, nine counts of assault with act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault.

Alan Jones was charged with 24 historical indecent assault and sexual touching offences. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)

NSW Police said he knew some of the alleged victims personally and professionally, and the youngest complainant was aged 17 years old when the alleged offences occurred.

Some of the complainants met Mr Jones for the first time when the alleged offending occurred, police said.

'This is a matter for a courtroom'

Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said Mr Jones's bail was issued on "certain conditions".

"[Those conditions] are to protect the [alleged] victims and [they're] not to be contacted or harassed, and there are also travel restrictions on the basis of him ensuring that he will appear before the court," he said.

Alan Jones - Figure 2
Photo ABC News

The assistant commissioner said media reporting resulted in some information coming forward to police and led to the creation of Strike Force Bonnefin. 

"This information and a number of witnesses have been assisting police over the years," he said.

"Bonnefin and the energy that was generated out of those newspaper articles have provided the ability for police to put these matters before the court."

Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald commended the alleged victims for their "bravery" and for allowing the matter to be brought to court.

Lawyer Chris Murphy told the media that Mr Jones would "assert his innocence" in court. 

"He denies any misconduct. This matter will be defended," Mr Murphy said. 

"Mr Jones will be defending this case. He's presumed innocent."

Chris Murphy told the media that Mr Jones will "assert his innocence" in court. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)

Mr Murphy said Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald's praise of alleged victims during a press conference was "contemptible".

"I think it's totally contemptible of the assistant commissioner of police to be praising the witnesses who he might like to call victims," he said.

Alan Jones - Figure 3
Photo ABC News

"This is a matter for a courtroom and I believe he is in terrible breach of that."

NSW Police declined to respond to Mr Murphy's criticism.

Police believe more people will come forward

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said police anticipated more people may come forward with complaints.

"I can't speculate in this particular case, but what is often the case is when it is known — the full circumstances and those parties involved — other people may come forward, and we are anticipating that other people may come forward," Commissioner Webb said. 

NSW Police told the ABC that Mr Jones's passport had been confiscated over fears he would leave the country and not return.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said media reporting resulted in some alleged victims coming forward to police. (ABC News: Monish Nand)

Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said the strike force would continue in anticipation of more information being provided.

"We believe that will have more people coming forward with information," he said.

"Strike Force Bonnefin will continue and they are currently talking to people and will continue to talk to people."

Dressed in a green tracksuit and flanked by his lawyer, Mr Jones was swarmed by a large media pack as he exited the Day Street Police Station in Sydney's CBD.

He remained silent as reporters hounded the veteran broadcaster with questions and he was guided into an awaiting vehicle.

Mr Jones was released on bail and is expected to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on December 18.

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