Warning: Graphic content
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second day of Alan Jones’ lengthy criminal trial on charges of indecent assault and sexual touching. Our reporters Clare Sibthorpe and Jacqueline Maley will be bringing you the latest from the courtroom today.
On day one, the NSW Local Court in Sydney’s historic Downing Centre court complex heard allegations that Jones indecently assaulted a young athlete, starting with unwanted kissing when the man was a teenager in year 12 in the early 2000s. Jones denies the claims.
The man, now in his early 40s, gave evidence that Jones also groped him in the car as he drove the then-radio host to his Fitzroy Falls property. He said he was fearful at the time of speaking out because he didn’t want to “lose everything”.
Jones had supported the promising athlete financially including paying him hundreds of dollars a week to focus on training and giving him a car and a mobile phone, the court heard.
Today, the man known as complainant “J” returns to the witness box. He will face cross-examination by Jones’ barrister Gabrielle Bashir, SC, after completing his evidence-in-chief.
The Crown alleges Jones indecently assaulted or sexually touched six men between 2003 and 2020 and is seeking to prove 22 charges against him, including nine indecent assault charges against “J”.
The former broadcaster has emphatically denied wrongdoing and Bashir said on Monday that the credibility and reliability of the complainants’ evidence would be tested.
“Rivalry, treachery, double-dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more are all at the heart of this case,” Bashir said in her opening remarks to Judge Glenn Walsh.
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.