Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has been accused of historic indecent assault and sexual assault offenses spanning two decades.

NSW Police said Mr Jones had been charged with a total of 24 offenses involving eight alleged victims.

Live updates, reactions and input from ABC readers.

Right nowMonday, November 18, 2024 at 4:27

The alleged victim was employed under Mr. Jones

Some of the charges relate to a victim under his authority mr jones

Deputy Commissioner Fitzgerald said the police will claim the authority was a employment contract at the time of the crime.

6m agoMonday, November 18, 2024, 4:21 am

More people may come

7m agoMonday November 18, 2024 at 4:20

Media reports encouraged alleged victims to come forward

9m agoMonday, November 18, 2024 at 4:19

Alleged victims praised for bravery

10 m agoMonday, November 18, 2024 at 4:17

Historical matters “difficult to investigate”

11 m agoMonday, November 18, 2024 at 4:16

The youngest victim was 17 years old

18 m agoMonday, November 18, 2024 at 4:10

Mr Jones granted bail

20 m agoMonday, November 18, 2024 at 4:08 am

Alan Jones charged

30 m agoMonday, November 18, 2024, 3:57 a.m

The alleged incidents took place between 2001 and 2019

31 minutes agoMonday, November 18, 2024, 3:57 a.m

Police press conference on the arrest of Alan Jones about to begin

These included 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, nine counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault.

He was granted bail and is due to appear in Downing Center Local Court on December 18, police said.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said the alleged offenses took place between 2001 and 2019 and the youngest victim was 17.

“I wish to commend the investigators at Strike Force Bonnefin for their tenacity and hard work in bringing this matter before the courts,” Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said.

“Historical matters such as this are incredibly difficult to investigate and bring before the courts and I congratulate them again on their ongoing investigation, which will continue.”

Earlier, NSW Police said Child Abuse Squad detectives executed a warrant and arrested the 83-year-old man at his luxury Sydney apartment at Circular Quay about 7.45am.

The State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad set up Strike Force Bonnefin in March to investigate a series of alleged indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019.

Mr Jones arrived at Day Street police station in the back of an unmarked police car at 11.15am.

A search warrant is ongoing and NSW Police are expected to provide an update this afternoon.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the arrest followed a “very complex” investigation.

“This is the result of a very long, thorough and protracted investigation,” she told a news conference between Sydney and Wollongong.

Commissioner Webb said detectives had “worked tirelessly” on the investigation.

“There is no matter too old to investigate,” she said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, who also spoke at the news conference, declined to comment on the issue.

“I can understand the interest in the subject, but it’s just not appropriate to comment on it,” he said.

The commissioner said police expect other alleged victims to come forward.

“I can’t speculate in this particular case, but what often happens is when it’s known — the full circumstances and those parties involved — other people may come forward, and we anticipate other people may come forward,” she. said.

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Mr. Jones’ long career in the public eye

Mr Jones has had a broadcasting career spanning more than 35 years, with the shock game dominating the Sydney airwaves for decades.

He started his media career as a morning news anchor for 2UE in 1985.

Mr Jones is best known for his Sky News program and breakfast radio show on Sydney radio station 2GB, which he joined after leaving 2UE in 2002.

He was the station’s morning anchor for 18 years until May 2020.

Mr Jones’ contract with Sky News Australia was not renewed in November 2021.

The shock jock later joined the news channel ADH TV, which features a host of conservative political commentators.

His last show on the streaming channel aired in November 2023.

Prior to his broadcasting career, Mr Jones was speechwriter and senior adviser to then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser for three years.

He became Australia’s rugby coach in 1984 and coached Australia to victory in 102 matches over four years, including winning the 1986 Bledisloe Cup.