Court Sets August Hearing For Alan Jones With 139 Witnesses Expected
Image: Bianca de Marchi/AAP
The next hearing for 84-year-old former broadcaster Alan Jones is scheduled for August and is expected to last four months, involving 139 witnesses.
John Maddison Tower Local Court in Sydney has listed Jones’ indecent assault and sexual touching hearing for 3 August 2026, with Magistrate Glenn Walsh to oversee the case.
Jones’ defence lawyer, Bryan Wrench, said the matter could take four to six months, but the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it could be done in under two months.
Jones faces 27 charges involving nine complainants, alleged to have occurred at public venues, as well as at his homes and former workplaces. He will be tried before a magistrate rather than a jury, a move his Jones’ lawyer, Wrench, critiqued in court.
Not-guilty pleas were entered in September.
Why there’s no jury for Jones
Jones was excused from appearing at this morning’s court hearing. Wrench told the court he had asked the ODPP to rethink their decision not to send the case to a jury in the District Court.
Wrench pressed for full disclosure of material, saying, “We need to see all of the cards,” as per The Sydney Morning Herald.
Walsh focused the discussion on being prepared for the hearing and explained that Wrench could subpoena The Sydney Morning Herald’s investigative journalist, Kate McClymont, if needed to gain access to the necessary documents related to witness interviews.
What prosecutors told the magistrate
The ODPP prosecutor, Emma Curran, notes that the ODPP tried four times to get details of Jones’ counsel so a case conference could be held to reduce witness numbers, but “as of today we have not been advised who counsel is”.
However, Wrench continues to stand by his point, saying “The DPP has refused to tell us whether or not the investigation is complete,” and that they have “had two years to investigate,” as per The Sydney Morning Herald.
Jones was arrested in November 2024 after a thorough investigation by authorities.
Earlier court documents surrounding the Jones’ case discuss a series of alleged incidents dating back to 2003, providing further detail about specific acts alleged by several complainants. Nevertheless, Jones still denies all allegations and has previously told the media he is “certainly not guilty”.
You are not alone. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or family violence and needs support, you can contact:
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- LGBTQ+ Rainbow Sexual, Domestic & Family Violence Service Help Line: 1800 385 578
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- Alan Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
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