Alan Jones trial as it happened: Photos from function where 2GB host allegedly kissed ‘M’ shown in court as indecent assault, sexual touching trial continues
by Clare Sibthorpe, Michaela Whitbourn · WAtodayPinned post from 2.48pm
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The day in review
By Clare Sibthorpe and Michaela Whitbourn
Good afternoon and thank you for reading 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.
Yesterday, the third of the six complainants, a former athlete dubbed “M”, started giving evidence.
“M” returned to the witness box today and was cross-examined by Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC. The court is not sitting tomorrow but the complainant will return to the witness box on Thursday for further cross-examination.
Here are the key parts of today’s evidence:
- “M” rejected suggestions by Bashir that Jones did not kiss him at a function in Sydney about a decade ago. The complainant has said the then 2GB host kissed him on the side of his mouth for a second or two at the event, and he believed he froze during the alleged incident.
- “Alan Jones never kissed you at that [function], did he?” Bashir put to “M” on Tuesday. The complainant replied: “Alan Jones kissed me.” Bashir repeated that Jones had never kissed him at any function. “He has,” the complainant replied.
- The complainant was shown a series of photos from the event during his cross-examination, which were used by the defence to suggest particular events occurred at specific times during the evening.
- “M” agreed that he did not tell police in his statements that Jones kissed him on the lips.
- “You did not say to the police that it was on your lip, did you?” Bashir asked. “I don’t think I did, but in having a discussion, I believe I pointed to where it was,” “M” said.
- The complainant told the court 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. “I think there was both [a] professional and personal side to that relationship,” he said.
- “M” was asked during his evidence-in-chief about a Christmas message he sent Jones after the broadcaster allegedly kissed him non-consensually for a second time. “I was being polite. I made reference [in court yesterday] to the challenges of the relationship between myself and the defendant,” he said.
- Asked what sort of challenges he was referring to, he said: “Someone who has a presence in media, someone who 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 occurred prior to this at their house.”