Alan Jones on trial for 22 indecent assault charges involving six men between 2003–2020
Consensus Summary
Alan Jones, an 85-year-old retired 2GB radio host, is on trial for 22 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching against six men, with alleged offenses occurring between 2003 and 2020. The trial, now in its fourth week, centers on testimony from Ray Hadley, Jones’s former colleague and rival, who revealed a secret contract signed in late-2018 to replace Jones as breakfast host at a $4 million salary. Hadley admitted using derogatory and homophobic language toward Jones, including calling him a 'c*** and a dog' and referring to him as a 'parasite' in text messages. Complainant C, one of Jones’s alleged victims, confided in Hadley in 2019 about being kissed and touched by Jones in 2008, with Hadley facilitating contact between C and journalist Kate McClymont, whose December 2023 article exposed the allegations. Jones denies all charges, with his defense arguing the case is driven by Hadley’s rivalry, financial motives, and media manipulation. Hadley’s evidence highlights a contentious relationship, including claims Jones ordered staff to 'dig up dirt' on him and that Hadley’s contract was scrapped in May 2019 when Jones was re-signed for two more years.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Alan Jones, 85, is on trial for 22 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching against six men
- The alleged offenses occurred between 2003 and 2020
- Ray Hadley, Jones’s former 2GB colleague, testified about a 2019 conversation with Complainant C, who alleged Jones kissed and touched him in 2008
- Hadley signed a secret contract in late-2018 to replace Jones as breakfast host, doubling his salary to $4 million a year
- Jones was re-signed for two more years in May 2019 after the contract with Hadley fell through
- Hadley admitted calling Jones derogatory names, including 'a c*** and a dog' in 2019
- Hadley described Jones as a 'parasite' and 'needs to be destroyed' in text messages examined in court
- Jones denies all 22 charges and the trial is now in its fourth week
- Hadley and Jones had a 'tumultuous' relationship, with Hadley claiming Jones ordered staff to 'dig up dirt' on him
- Complainant C alleged Jones kissed him in a work lift and touched his crotch multiple times in 2008
- Hadley’s 35-year broadcasting career included hosting the Ray Hadley Morning Show
- Jones had won the breakfast slot a record 226 times
- Hadley’s contract to replace Jones was set to begin July 1, 2019
- Hadley used a homophobic slur ('f****t') in texts about Jones around the time of the allegations
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Hadley described the Sydney Morning Herald’s December 2023 article on Jones as '50 years in the making' in a text message
- Hadley said he 'didn’t want to get out of bed at half past one' but took the breakfast slot for the money
- Hadley admitted following media coverage of Jones’s trial, becoming more interested in the last few days
- Hadley denied telling Complainant C about the secret contract to replace Jones
- Hadley said he was approached by John Singleton, a shareholder of Macquarie Media, about replacing Jones due to defamation costs
- Hadley’s 2019 conversation with Complainant C occurred at least a day before he facilitated a phone call with author Peter FitzSimons
- Hadley revealed a 'secret plot' to replace Jones, claiming Singleton wanted Jones out due to defamation payouts
- Hadley said he was informed by a 'double agent' colleague that Jones ordered staff to 'dig up dirt on Hadley'
- Hadley accepted he wrote a 'strong' homophobic word ('f****t') in a text but claimed it was not his usual language
- Hadley said he was accused of assaulting a colleague, but CCTV footage proved the incident never happened
- Hadley acknowledged he benefited from Jones’s audience, saying 'Mr Jones was part of my success for many years'
- Hadley testified that Complainant C 'broke down and sobbed' during their 30–40 minute 2019 conversation, lasting between 30 and 40 minutes
- Complainant C alleged Jones touched his crotch under the table during a luncheon where guests laughed and giggled
- Hadley said he promised Complainant C he would not reveal his identity and keep the disclosure secret
- Hadley called Jones a 'grub' and a 'faggot' in text exchanges shown in court
- Hadley said he was approached by management in late 2018 about replacing Jones, who was then embroiled in defamation cases
- Hadley disagreed that attaining the breakfast slot was the pinnacle of his career, instead citing the salary increase to $4m
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC and 7NEWS report 22 charges against Jones, but the Guardian reports 20 charges of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching (totaling 22, but phrasing differs)
- The ABC and Guardian state Hadley called Jones a 'c*** and a dog' in 2019, but 7NEWS only mentions the homophobic slur ('f****t') explicitly in texts, not the verbal confrontation
- The ABC and Guardian say Hadley’s contract was signed in late-2018, but 7NEWS states it was due to begin July 1, 2019 without specifying the exact signing date
- The Guardian reports Complainant C alleged Jones touched him under the table during a luncheon with guests laughing, but this detail is not mentioned in ABC or 7NEWS
- The ABC and 7NEWS describe Hadley’s animosity toward Jones as rooted in rivalry and a desire to replace him, while the Guardian emphasizes Hadley’s financial motivation ('the money made me do it')
Source Articles
Live: Hadley back in the witness box for a third day, as Jones trial resumes
Ray Hadley returns for a third day to Alan Jones's indecent assault and sexual touching trial, which has been examining the pair's "tumultuous" relationship.
Alan Jones trial: Ray Hadley reveals secret plan to oust Alan Jones from 2GB
Ray Hadley accepted he wrote the ‘strong’ word in a text but maintained it was not one he normally used.
Ray Hadley used homophobic slur against Alan Jones after 2GB withdrew offer of $4m breakfast radio gig, court hears
Hadley is giving evidence in trial of former 2GB rival Jones, 85, who has pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Warning: This article contains offensive language Broadcaster Ray Hadley has told a Sydney court he used a homophobic slur and derogatory names when talking about his colleague Alan Jones, after 2GB withdrew a secret offer of a $4m contract to take over Jones’s coveted breakfast slot. Hadley ag
Live: Ray Hadley faces cross-examination in radio 'rival' Alan Jones's trial
Retired 2GB radio host Ray Hadley has resumed giving evidence at Alan Jones's indecent assault and sexual touching trial.
Rival Ray Hadley tells Alan Jones trial that alleged victim ‘broke down and sobbed’ when detailing assaults
Former 2GB and 2UE broadcaster Jones, 85, has denied 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges involving six men Broadcaster Ray Hadley has told a Sydney court that an alleged victim of Alan Jones confided in 2019 he’d been “sexually assaulted” by the fellow 2GB broadcaster on a number of occasions. “ He said [Jones] put his hand on my cock and kissed me,” Hadley told the Downing Centre local court on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Live: Radio titan Ray Hadley to give evidence at 'rival' Alan Jones's trial
Hadley has been called to give evidence in relation to allegations that Mr Jones kissed and touched a young colleague in 2008, without the man's consent.
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