Cross-examination has resumed in the trial of broadcaster Alan Jones, after a complainant told Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court that Jones kissed him and pressed his genitals against his leg during separate encounters.
Jones, 85, denies the alleged physical acts. He is facing 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent relating to six male complainants over a 17-year period from 2003 to 2020.
The third complainant, known as “M”, returned to the witness box on Thursday for further questioning by Jones’s barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC. His evidence began on Monday and his cross-examination started on Tuesday, before the trial paused on Wednesday.
“M” told the court that Jones kissed him near the corner of his mouth at an event in Sydney about a decade ago. “I think I froze at that time,” he said.
He rejected a suggestion that the kiss had not happened. He agreed, however, that he had not stated in his police statements that Jones kissed him on the lips, saying: “I believe I pointed to where it was.”
The court heard Jones later sent him a text message saying: “Great to see you. Sorry I didn’t catch up after, had to go back to work. You looked great. I love you, I hope you can feel my kisses darling xxxx.”
“M” replied that it was nice to see Jones and that he was pleased to be in bed after a long day. Their exchange ended with “M” writing “let me know when we can catch up. Lots of love”, to which Jones replied: “I will darling. Big kisses forever.”
On another occasion, Jones wrote after receiving a photograph: “I love the photo. I love you. I want to kiss you for hours. That is beautiful. We must catch up darling [name] xxx”.
“M” said he did not respond immediately. When Jones later wrote, “I hope my message did not upset you. I love you”, he replied the following day: “Not at all mate. It’s nice to be loved.”
He told the court that he used the word “mate” deliberately because he believed he had made clear that the relationship was not becoming romantic.
“I know I’d made it very clear that … it wasn’t moving into a relationship, so ‘mate’ was my way of pushing back, I guess,” he said.
“M” said he believed Jones was “a person that is in love with me”, but said he did not share those feelings. He described their relationship as close and said there were certain matters for which he could seek Jones’s help.
The court heard that, during “M”’s final visit to Jones’s harbourside apartment, Jones kissed him on the cheek towards his lips and said words to the effect of: “I love you so much, you don’t know how much I love you.”
“M” alleged that he could feel Jones’s genitals against his leg. He said he pushed Jones away, responded “OK, mate” in a tone intended to convey “get away from me”, and left “as quickly as possible”.
The complainant also told the court that Jones had sent him gifts, including weekly flowers over several years and a dinner set. He agreed that he had sent Jones flowers at least once.
