Prosecutors have withdrawn one of the indecent assault charges against former radio broadcaster Alan Jones, who faces 26 charges of historical sexual offences. The charge, related to an alleged incident at an event in Tamworth, New South Wales, in 2013, was dropped in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.
Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence. His legal team has indicated they have evidence to disprove the claims, including a statement from his butler of 18 years who said he never witnessed inappropriate behaviour.
The case involves eight complainants, down from an initial 11 after prosecutors reconfigured their case in September. The charges include indecent assault and sexual touching, with a four-month hearing scheduled for August.
In court, it was revealed that a high-profile journalist, Kate McClymont of the Sydney Morning Herald, has not yet complied with a subpoena to produce articles about the allegations. The deadline for compliance has been extended to 9 June.
The court will reconvene on 19 June to consider the legality of search warrants executed at Jones's Sydney apartment in November 2024. His lawyers argue the warrants may be invalid due to references to offences not ultimately charged.
