Prominent athlete testifies Alan Jones kissed him without consent at public event
A well-known athlete told a Sydney court that broadcaster Alan Jones kissed him on the mouth at a public event and later sent a suggestive text, part of the trial's third alleged victim's testimony. Jones denies all 22 charges against him.
The trial of Australian broadcaster Alan Jones continued this week at Sydney's Downing Centre, where he faces 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching, all of which he denies. On the first day of evidence from the case's third alleged victim, referred to in court as complainant M, a prominent athlete described an incident in which Jones allegedly kissed him without his consent.
The athlete testified that as he walked back to his table at a public event, Jones kissed him on the corner of his mouth. He said he was "shocked and embarrassed" and immediately wanted to leave, though he did not say anything at the time. He told the court he believed he had frozen in the moment, adding he could not understand why anyone would kiss someone that way in a public setting. He confirmed to the prosecutor that he had not consented to the kiss.
After the event, the witness said Jones sent him a text message to the effect that he would like to be kissing him all night.
The athlete explained that his relationship with Jones began when the broadcaster interviewed him multiple times as a teenager, eventually developing into a friendship that included meals at Jones's apartment on Macquarie Street near Circular Quay. He said Jones always introduced him in an overwhelmingly flattering way, calling him things like "champion" and "beautiful man," and greeting him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Jones reportedly also sent him messages telling him he was "special." While flattering at first, the witness said the attention eventually became uncomfortable, noting that even his own parents did not speak to him that way.
The court also heard that after the witness once complimented tableware during a meal at the apartment, he later received a matching set as a gift, and separately received weekly flower deliveries at his home after praising flowers on Jones's dining table. During a visit to Jones's farm at Fitzroy Falls, the athlete broke down while describing financial difficulties, after which Jones offered help and arranged a meeting at his apartment involving the athlete's bank, agent and accountant.
The trial continues.
