‘Complainant M’ cross-examination resumes; former 2GB broadcaster’s indecent assault, sexual touching trial continues

Warning: Graphic content

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Alan Jones’ criminal trial in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney.

Jones, 85, is standing trial on 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. He denies the alleged physical acts occurred.

On Monday, the third of the six complainants, a former athlete dubbed “M”, started giving evidence.

His cross-examination started on Tuesday, and he returns to the witness box today for further questioning by Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC, after a break in the trial on Wednesday. “M” has told the court:

• Jones kissed him on the corner of his mouth at an event in Sydney about a decade ago. “I think I froze at that time,” “M” said.
• He rejected suggestions by Bashir on Tuesday that the alleged kiss didn’t happen.
• The court has heard Jones texted “M” after the function: “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: “Nice to see you too. I had a very long day today and I am pleased to be in bed now; thanks mate xoxo.” The conversation ended in “M” saying “let me know when we can catch up. Lots of love” and Jones replying: “I will darling. Big kisses forever.”
• “M” agreed during cross-examination that he did not tell police in his statements that Jones kissed him on the lips at the event. But he said that “I believe I pointed to where it was”.
• The complainant said he had “a close relationship with Jones over a period of time” and that “in certain areas” he could go to the broadcaster if he needed help.
• The court has previously heard that Jones texted “M” on another occasion, after receiving a photo: “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. Hours later, Jones wrote: “I hope my message did not upset you. I love you.” The man said he responded the next day, writing: “Not at all mate. It’s nice to be loved.”
• The complainant said he had used the word “mate” for many reasons. “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.”
• Reflecting on the messages, “M” told the court that he believed “it’s a person that is in love with me”, adding that he did not return those feelings.
• “M” said that on the last occasion he visited Jones at his harbourside apartment, the broadcaster 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.” The complainant said he could feel Jones’ genitals on his leg.
• The complainant said he pushed the broadcaster away and said, “OK, mate”, in a tone intended to convey “get away from me”, and “got out of there as quickly as possible”.
• The court heard Jones had sent the complainant gifts including weekly flowers for years and a dinner set. The complainant agreed he also sent Jones flowers at least once.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.