Warning: Graphic content
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Alan Jones’ criminal trial in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney. I will be reporting on the latest developments with my colleagues Clare Sibthorpe and Harriet Alexander.
Jones, 85, is facing 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent involving six male complainants over a 17-year period from 2003 to 2020. The former 2GB heavyweight denies the alleged physical acts occurred.
Today, author and journalist Peter FitzSimons, a columnist at The Sydney Morning Herald, is giving evidence about his conversation with complainant “C”, a former staffer to Jones who has accused the broadcaster of unwanted touching and kissing.
The court has heard that FitzSimons had a conversation with “C” in 2019, after being put in contact with the complainant by Jones’ 2GB colleague Ray Hadley.
FitzSimons was not told the identity of “C”, the court has heard. FitzSimons did not report on the complainant’s allegations.
Years later, in 2023, the Herald’s chief investigative reporter, Kate McClymont, spoke to “C” and reported on his allegations, among others, in an anonymised form. McClymont is expected to give evidence in the trial at a later date.
NSW Police set up Strike Force Bonnefin in response to McClymont’s reporting. Jones was arrested in November 2024.
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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