A prominent athlete accusing Alan Jones of twice kissing him without consent has told a Sydney court he kept texting the broadcaster after the alleged assaults because Jones was powerful and had been generous to him. The witness, appearing for a second day in the seventh week of the trial, agreed he had sent friendly messages to Jones after the two incidents.
Witness explains continued contact
Prosecutor Georgina Wright, SC, asked why he wished Jones a happy Christmas and New Year after the defendant allegedly kissed him and pressed his genitalia against his leg. “I was being polite,” the witness said. “I made reference [yesterday] to the challenges of the relationship between myself and the defendant.”
He added: “Someone that has a presence in the media, someone that has a reputation around what they do. Someone also who’s been generous to me at times in my life. That’s why I believe I am wishing them the best for Christmas even though an incident has occurred prior to this at their house.”
Background of the case
The former athlete, known as complainant M, is the third of six complainants to give evidence. Jones, 85, faces 20 charges of indecent assault and two of sexual touching, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC took the witness through flattering texts Jones sent, including: “If someone hasn’t told you, let me be the person who tells you that you’re special.”
M told the court the “incredibly overwhelmingly complimentary” texts made him uncomfortable. Bashir suggested some texts reflected the truth. “You were an extraordinary athlete, weren’t you?” she asked. “Thank you,” M replied. “You were something special, weren’t you?” Bashir asked. “I believe I still am,” he said.
Details of the alleged incidents
M testified the two unwanted kisses—one at an event in 2015 and one at Jones’s Macquarie Street apartment in 2020—were a shock and not consensual. “I did not want to be kissed by him in that way.” After the first incident, the court heard Jones texted: “You looked great. I love you. I hope you can feel my kisses, darling.”
On Tuesday, M described being alone with Jones in the harbourside apartment when “the defendant was standing over the top of me beginning to kiss me. As it got closer to my lips I started to move into a standing position.” He added: “I felt there was something behind me when I tried to get away from the defendant that prevented me from doing so.” He said he responded “Ok mate” in a defiant tone, indicating “get away from me,” and left abruptly.
Reporting and trial progress
M said his last communication with Jones was in 2022. When the Sydney Morning Herald published an investigation about sexual allegations against Jones in 2023, he told three friends that “something similar has happened to me,” and later went to police. Under cross-examination, M agreed he had been friends with Jones for 20 years and that Jones had been a vocal supporter and helped him through personal crises. “I had had a close relationship over a period of time,” he said. “It was both professional and there was a personal side.” He agreed he replied to some messages with “love, hugs and kisses.”
M is the first complainant to give evidence in a closed court, facing Jones in the Downing Centre courtroom, with media covering from a separate location. The trial before judge Glenn Walsh continues.
