Triple M Host Charged with Sexual Assault, Pulled Off Air
Radio personality Justin 'JB' Bell faces multiple charges including sexual assault following an incident at a Queensland venue.
Triple M Cairns breakfast host Justin 'JB' Bell has been removed from air following charges including sexual assault, assault occasioning bodily harm, and common assault. The charges stem from an incident at a licensed venue in Smithfield, Queensland, on August 21.
According to police, the alleged offenses occurred at a 21st birthday party. Bell is accused of inappropriately touching a woman inside the venue and subsequently assaulting two men during a confrontation outside. The complaints were reportedly filed with police in the days following the event.
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the parent company of Triple M Cairns, confirmed that Bell has been off air since October 9. A spokesperson for SCA stated, "We can confirm that Justin Bell is currently off air. Given that this matter is the subject of ongoing court proceedings, we are unable to provide any further comment at this time."
Police have reportedly obtained CCTV footage from the venue as part of their investigation. Bell, 34, is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court later this month. His official Instagram page has been deleted.
Bell has co-hosted the breakfast show on 99.5 Triple M Cairns with Tammy Barker since 2023. The program is described as featuring "locals who live and love Cairns and come to tell their stories." It airs on weekdays and is also available on the LiSTNR streaming service. Bell previously hosted breakfast programs at Hit 102.5 Mount Isa and Triple M Bundy 93.1.
