The criminal trial of former radio 2GB host and Wallabies coach Alan Jones, who turned 85 in April, has begun.

Arrested at his harbourside apartment in November 2024 following a New South Wales police investigation, Jones is facing allegations that he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched a number of young men. He denies all wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty.

As it now stands at the start of the trial, six male complainants are listed to give evidence of incidents that are alleged to have happened between 2003 and 2020 at Jones’s apartment on Macquarie Street, Sydney, and/or at the property he formerly owned at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.

In all, there are 22 charges arising from those incidents, comprising 20 counts of indecent assault, and two further counts of sexual touching.

Why is the court closed?

The trial is being heard in a closed court. This means members of the general public cannot be in the courtroom.

This is because the room in the Downing Centre Local Court chosen for this trial is small. It fits perhaps a couple of dozen people.

It’s therefore expected that only Judge Glenn Walsh, the legal teams, a........

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