A prominent former athlete who has accused broadcaster Alan Jones of twice kissing him without consent told a Sydney court he continued to communicate with Jones after the alleged incidents due to Jones’s influence and prior generosity. The witness, identified in court as complainant M, appeared for a second day during the seventh week of the ongoing trial at the Downing Centre.
Jones, 85, denies 20 charges of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching. Complainant M is the third of six witnesses to give evidence in the case.
During questioning by prosecutor Georgina Wright SC, M acknowledged sending Jones amicable messages, including holiday greetings following the alleged assaults. Explaining why he maintained contact, M said he was “being polite” and sought to maintain the relationship despite past challenges, noting Jones’s significant presence in the media and history of generosity toward him.
The court heard M describe two unwanted kisses by Jones: one at a 2015 event and another at Jones’s Macquarie Street apartment in 2020. M stated he did not consent to the kisses and found them shocking. He recounted the second incident in more detail, saying he was seated alone with Jones in the apartment when Jones stood over him and began to kiss him near the lips. M said he attempted to stand and sensed something preventing his escape. He testified that his defiant response of “OK mate” was meant to signal Jones to stop, and he left abruptly.
Texts exchanged between the two featured prominently in testimonies. M described receiving “incredibly overwhelmingly complimentary” messages from Jones, including one stating, “If someone hasn’t told you, let me be the person who tells you that you’re special.” The defense highlighted these messages in an attempt to suggest a consensual element to the relationship, with defense barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC asking if M’s status as an “extraordinary athlete” might have influenced Jones’s messages. M acknowledged the compliments but maintained they made him uncomfortable.
Under cross-examination, M confirmed a longstanding friendship with Jones spanning two decades, including both professional and personal dimensions. He admitted Jones had supported him during personal crises and that he had responded to some messages with expressions such as “love, hugs and kisses.” Bashir extensively challenged M’s recollections, including confronting him with photographs from the 2015 event and suggesting Jones never kissed him there. M firmly maintained that Jones had kissed him on that occasion.
Complainant M is the first plaintiff to give evidence in open court and to face Jones directly. Media coverage of the trial is being conducted remotely, from a separate location. The trial resumes on Thursday, with M expected to return to complete his cross-examination. The court will not sit on Wednesday.