A former athlete testifying as a complainant in the Alan Jones trial told a Sydney court that an unwanted kiss from the former radio broadcaster more than a decade ago remains a vivid memory he wishes had never occurred.

The man, identified in court as complainant M, acknowledged during cross-examination on Thursday that he had sent Jones a shirtless photograph of himself taken in Paris several months prior to the alleged incident. He said the image was sent in response to a question from Jones about how he was doing while overseas.

The court heard that Jones responded to the photo with affectionate messages, writing: “I love the photo. I love you. I want to kiss you for hours. That is beautiful. We must catch up xxxxxx.”

Defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir suggested to M that the kiss, allegedly occurring at an awards night in 2015, did not happen. Bashir pointed to text messages between M and Jones, which demonstrated friendly and affectionate exchanges, despite M’s claims of feeling shocked and embarrassed by the kiss.

M maintained the kiss had taken place, saying, “I know the kiss happened because I can’t get it out of my memory.” He added, “I wanted the kiss that happened to have never happened. In some ways I feel as though I am deflecting [in the text messages].”

Jones, who faces 20 counts of indecent assault and two charges of sexual touching involving six men, has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

Bashir argued that a post-event message from Jones—including the phrase “I hope you can feel my kisses darling”—did not confirm a physical kiss had occurred, suggesting that Jones often used such language in his communications.

M also refuted suggestions that his account of the awards night contained conflicting details. While he conceded he could not recall specifics such as seating arrangements or the direction Jones was facing, he stood by his testimony that the unwanted kiss occurred.

The defence challenged the location and timing of the alleged kiss, with Bashir noting M had not previously specified where the incident happened. M confirmed he had not mentioned a specific location in police statements.

The cross-examination also focused on a separate allegation of an unwanted kiss and sexual contact at Jones’s luxury apartment on Macquarie Street. M testified that Jones kissed him and pressed his genitalia against his thigh, causing him to call out and leave the apartment.

Jones’s lawyer contended that this incident could not have taken place in March 2020, since Jones was residing at Fitzroy Falls during the COVID-19 pandemic and was broadcasting from there. M acknowledged uncertainty regarding the exact date.

Bashir questioned M about not previously describing Jones declaring his love between kisses, a detail M said only emerged as he recalled the event in preparation for giving evidence.

The trial, presided over by Judge Glenn Walsh, is now in its seventh week. Complainant M is the first to give evidence in a closed court setting and face Jones directly as proceedings continue.