Veteran Australian broadcaster arrested for alleged sex crimes | News about sexual violence

On By Pranco

Radio presenter Alan Jones previously denied allegations of indecent assault broadcast by local media.

Veteran Australian broadcaster and former rugby coach Alan Jones has been arrested following a 20-year investigation into alleged sex crimes, local media report.

Jones, 83, has been a fixture on Australian broadcasting since the mid-1980s, presenting influential shows on Sydney radio stations 2GB and 2UE and TV network Sky News.

Jones, who is known for his conservative views, was last behind the microphone in November last year while presenting his show on streaming news channel ADH TV, which he joined after leaving Sky News at the end of 2021.

Before joining broadcasting, Jones worked as a teacher before switching to politics in the late 1970s and early 1980s to serve as a speechwriter and advisor to then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.

From 1984 to 1998, Jones was the head coach of the Australian men’s rugby team and led the side to 86 wins in 102 matches, including a “grand slam” of victories over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

In a statement on Monday, police in New South Wales state said detectives from a special child abuse squad have arrested an 83-year-old man at a property in the Circular Quay area of ​​central Sydney.

New South Wales Police said the arrest followed the establishment of a strike force in March to investigate alleged “indecent assault and sexual touching incidents” between 2001 and 2019.

Police have not named the arrested man.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told a news conference the arrest followed a “very complex and lengthy” investigation.

Jones denied charges of indecent assault and inappropriate touching in December after the Sydney Morning Herald published an investigation detailing claims he had used his position to prey on young men.

In a statement at the time, Jones’ attorney described the allegations as “outrageous, grossly offensive and grossly defamatory of him.”