Veteran Australian broadcaster and former Kangaroos coach Alan Jones has been accused of sexually abusing eight males over 20 years.
The 83-year-old was detained at an house in Sydney’s Round Quay early on Monday morning as detectives from the New South Wales Police Little one Abuse Squad performed a search of the property.
Mr Jones faces 24 costs for offenses allegedly dedicated between 2001 and 2019, together with 11 counts of gross indecency.
Mr Jones is considered one of Australia’s most influential figures The media determine has beforehand denied the abuse allegations, which have been first printed by the Sydney Morning Herald in 2023.
He has been granted conditional bail and can seem in court docket on December 18.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb stated police had been working “tirelessly” on what was a “very complicated”, “protracted” and “thorough” investigation.
She added that police anticipated different victims may come ahead, as is usually the case in such instances.
“Nothing is just too outdated to analyze,” she advised a information convention.
“There is not any higher time than now to return ahead, we’ll hearken to you and we’ll take your matter significantly.”
Mr Jones was a former instructor and coach of Australia’s Nationwide Rugby League workforce from 1984 to 1988 earlier than turning to broadcasting.
He additionally labored at occasions as a speechwriter and adviser to Liberal Get together figures, together with former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, and made quite a few failed makes an attempt to symbolize the celebration in state and federal politics.
Jones has been a staple on native 2GB station Sydney Radio for many years, juggling these duties with TV commentary gigs earlier than quitting his full-time job in 2020 as a consequence of well being points.
The broadcaster is a polarizing determine that has for years boasted one of many largest audiences within the nation however typically courted controversy.
He made headlines in 2012 for suggesting that then-prime minister Julia Gillard’s father “died of disgrace” and in 2019 for saying somebody ought to “stuff a sock into New Zealand’s then-leader Throat” and confronted large boycotts from advertisers. Jacinda Ardern.
Mr Jones has additionally been efficiently sued for libel on quite a few events.
