Prosecutors have downgraded some of the most serious sex abuse charges against veteran broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones after a court hearing on Thursday.
Mr. Jones now faces 27 charges which allege that he indecently assaulted or groped nine men over two decades.
Eleven charges of aggravated indecent assault - deemed more serious as they allegedly related to people under his authority - were downgraded on Thursday. Some charges were also dropped altogether.
The influential 84-year-old media figure has denied all charges and the case - which will now be heard before a magistrate, not a jury - will return to court next month.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund said there was a reformation of the case after two alleged victims withdrew, though there was no explanation as to why they were no longer part of the case.
Mr. Jones now faces 25 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching.
His lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court the dropped charges were a very big development and a significant concession, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's reports.
There is no suggestion that... he had these complainants in his authority. He did not have any power over these complainants, Mr. Wrench said.
Police have previously stated that some of the alleged victims knew the radio titan personally, and at least one had been employed by him. Others reportedly encountered him for the first time during the alleged assaults.
Speaking to journalists outside court previously, Jones described the allegations as either baseless or distortions of the truth.
A former teacher, Mr. Jones coached Australia's national rugby union team between 1984 and 1988, before turning to a radio career.
He also worked as a speechwriter and advisor for leaders of the Liberal Party and attempted several times to secure political candidacy.
Mr. Jones has long been a fixture on Sydney airwaves, especially on local station 2GB, with a career that included TV commentary before he retired from full-time duties in 2020 due to health issues.
Controversial at times, he has faced significant backlash for some of his comments over the years, including a 2012 jab at former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and a 2019 advertisement boycott after remarks directed at New Zealand's leader.
Furthermore, Mr. Jones has faced multiple defamation lawsuits throughout his career.
