For the past nine months, Detectives from Strike Force Bonnefin, run by the State Crime Command’s child abuse squad in New South Wales, have been conducting an investigation into Alan Jones.
The veteran broadcaster and former teacher was greeted by detectives executing a search warrant at his luxurious three-storey Circular Quay apartment in Sydney on Monday 18 November. The 83-year-old has since been arrested.
The formation of the strike force followed a lengthy investigation by two major Australian newspapers, which revealed in December 2023 that Jones had used his powerful position – first as a teacher and then as a leading broadcaster on top-rating Sydney radio stations 2UE and 2GB – to allegedly prey on several young men.
“In March 2024, state crime command’s child abuse squad established Strike Force Bonnefin to investigate a number of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019,” NSW Police said in a statement this morning.
“Following extensive inquiries, about 7.45am on Monday, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a unit in Circular Quay where they arrested an 83-year-old man.”
Multiple male students have made allegations
But allegations against Jones began long before these dates, with one of the earliest allegations against him stretching back to 1965 when Jones taught at Queensland’s prestigious boys’ day and boarding school, Brisbane Grammar. It has been alleged that 23-year-old Jones put his hands down the pants of a student for, in the words of the former student making the allegation, “maybe 30 seconds to a minute”, as Jones held the boy’s testicles.
At The King’s School in Parramatta, New South Wales, where Jones taught after his move from Queensland, it is also alleged that he put his hand down the athletic shorts of another male student.
Since then, in a broadcasting career that spanned 35 years as one of Australia’s leading radio presenters, multiple allegations from young men Jones encountered include details of indecent assaults and unwelcome sexualised attention.
One former 2GB employee says Jones indecently assaulted him repeatedly.
“If I went to the police, Jones could be charged. What he did to me was a criminal offence. He cannot die without people knowing what he’s done.”
The man was a 20-year-old when hired by then 65-year-old Jones. His duties included driving the radio personality to and from the station’s studio in Pyrmont to Jones’ apartment.
“During those 10 minutes, it would be wandering hands and then it just gradually became him grabbing my dick … you’re driving, you’re absolutely trapped … he’d go the grope, he’d rub my penis.”
The man also alleges that Jones kissed him in the lift and exposed himself in the apartment.
“Jones was more powerful than the prime minister,” the man says. “He could pick up the phone to John Howard and demand for things to be done.”
Predatory and uninvited
One former radio producer has described Jones’ petting and pawing of young men as “predatory”, “uninvited” and “absolutely confronting”.
He says young men, including waiters, staff and entertainers appearing on Jones’ show, “would be very embarrassed and very uncomfortable”.
One musician says he didn’t report the unwelcome behaviour because of fears that “You get on the wrong side and he’ll ruin you”.
In 2008, a 22-year-old waiter alleged an inebriated Jones grabbed and fondled his penis without consent. And before tech entrepreneur Alex Hartman died in 2019, he told four journalists he was a teenager when Jones indecently assaulted him.
“I was his prey … I know I am not the only one, and this will come out somehow.”
Facing 24 charges
Jones was taken to Day Street police station in central Sydney, where NSW Police charged him with 24 charges in relation to eight victims, for alleged incidents between 2001 and 2019.
Police will allege the youngest complainant was 17 years old.
Jones apparently knew about the investigation for some time but had no idea that the arrest was coming Monday.
Police acted swiftly when they learned of Jones’ plans to travel to America. His bail conditions stop him from leaving the country. Jones is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, 18 December.
Support is available:
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
