A former radio staffer told a friend that Alan Jones was in love with him years before he disclosed allegations that the veteran broadcaster had indecently assaulted him, a Sydney court has heard.
The man’s former colleague gave evidence in the trial of Mr Jones, 85, who has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching without consent involving six male complainants.
In a statement to police, the witness said the staffer had made “the odd comment that Alan is in love with him” and had described regular flirting with Mr Jones in person and over text.
The witness said the staffer had also mentioned that media reports about allegations against the former 2GB presenter had stirred difficult feelings, possibly referring to “trauma”. At the time, however, the colleague said the comments had not appeared to be a warning sign.
It was not until 2023, after Sydney Morning Herald journalist Kate McClymont contacted the witness, that the staffer allegedly spoke to him in more detail about what had happened. The witness then contacted the man, who was said to be intoxicated, agitated and distressed.
He told the court that the former staffer said Mr Jones had touched him inappropriately, using words to the effect that the broadcaster had “full grab[bed] him”. The staffer alleges that Mr Jones repeatedly kissed and groped him without consent during a five-month period while they worked together.
The witness also recalled seeing Mr Jones ask the man to “come here for a moment” during an occasion at a Melbourne hotel before the two disappeared towards a bedroom. The alleged incident, in which the staffer has separately claimed Mr Jones kissed him in a wardrobe, is not the subject of a charge.
Mr Jones’s barrister has accused the former staffer of rewriting his history with the broadcaster, an allegation he has rejected. The trial, before Judge Glenn Walsh, is continuing.
