Alan Jones, prominent Australian broadcaster and former rugby coach, is facing legal trouble over alleged s*xual offenses. According to Australia's New South Wales Police, the 83-year-old has been taken into custody and is facing s*xual assault charges. Allegedly the offense took place in about two decades.
According to a report by Reuters, Jones was arrested on Monday, November 18. While the police confirmed the arrest and charges against an elderly man, they kept his name under wraps. However, Australian media soon identified him as Jones, and footage of him in a police car was also circulated.
The Australian radio host has been charged with 24 s*xual touching and assault offenses. Earlier, the 83-year-old was also accused in a newspaper of allegedly assaulting young men and a 17-year-old male.
According to the police, these offenses took place between 2001 and 2019. A total of eight victims have come forward against Jones, some of whom he knew either professionally or personally. The youngest among them was 17 at the time of the incident.
New South Wales police assistant commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said that more alleged victims are likely to come forward against Jones.
Per Campaign Asia, Alan Jones was arrested at his luxury Circular Quay apartment by Child Abuse Squad detectives who allegedly searched the property and seized electronic devices. A special strike force was established by the police in March to investigate several alleged incidents.
According to the BBC, Jones faces up to 24 charges, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault.
Jones has not responded or commented on his arrest yet. Although, he had earlier denied similar allegations made against him last year.
In 2023, The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper accused Jones of s*xual assault cases. While Jones denied these allegations, police have said that the "energy" of the story led the case to the court.
Netizens react to Alan Jones' arrest
A picture of Alan Jones in the police car is widely circulating on social media. Many X (formerly Twitter) users are reacting to Jones' arrest and are criticizing those who supported him for years.
"Alan Jones when arrested: A picture is worth a thousand words but this man spewed millions of hateful and misinformational words and was supported by the most powerful in our society," wrote one user.
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"And hopefully justice is coming for him," wrote another.
Jones had been a prominent radio host for decades. His most popular show was the Sydney breakfast show on radio station 2GB. He anchored the show for 18 years until 2020. He is also a well-known conservative.
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