In a Sydney courtroom, a former athlete known only as 'M' has returned to face cross-examination in the trial of 85-year-old broadcaster Alan Jones, who stands accused of 20 counts of indecent assault spanning nearly two decades. The case asks the court to weigh the texture of a long and layered relationship — one marked by generosity, affection, and, the complainant alleges, unwanted physical contact — against Jones' firm denial that any of it occurred. It is a reckoning that touches on the difficulty of naming harm within relationships where power, gratitude, and intimacy are deeply entangle
CCTV evidence presented as Jones trial hears second day of complainant testimony
Complainant alleges non-consensual physical contact including kisses and unwanted genital contact during visits to Jones' apartment.
I used 'mate' to push back, I guess
Mark
So "M" sent Jones flowers too, and accepted gifts for years. How does that square with the non-consensual kiss claim?
Mimi
It's complicated. People in unequal relationships—where one person has power or resources—often stay engaged even after something crosses a line. "M" said he used "mate" deliberately to set a boundary. He was managing the relationship.
Luke
But the defence will argue that the affectionate messages and gift-giving suggest consent or at least ambiguity. We don't know what "M" was thinking at the time versus what he's saying now.
Mark
The CCTV footage—did it show the kiss?
Mimi
The court was shown images from the Sydney function, but the reporting doesn't say whether the alleged kiss itself was captured on camera. Bashir used the footage to ask detailed questions about positioning and sightlines.
Luke
That's a gap. If the kiss was on camera, that's powerful evidence. If it wasn't, the defence can argue it didn't happen the way "M" described it.
Mark
What about the apartment incident? That's more serious—he says Jones' genitals were on his leg.
Mimi
"M" said he pushed Jones away and left. But there's no CCTV there, no witnesses. It's his word against Jones' denial.
Luke
And Jones denies the physical acts occurred at all. So we have two alleged kisses at a public event—one possibly on CCTV—and one alleged incident in private with no corroboration except "M"'s testimony.
Mark
Why did "M" wait so long to come forward?
Mimi
He read Kate McClymont's article in December 2023 about allegations against Jones. That seems to have prompted him to speak up.
Luke
So the timing matters to the defence. They'll say he came forward only after seeing media coverage, not immediately after the incidents. That doesn't prove he's lying, but it's a line of attack.
Le Pouls
- CCTV footage from a Sydney function was shown in court, placing the jury of fact inside the precise geometry of an alleged non-consensual kiss — where the tables stood, who was watching, and what 'M' says he felt when he froze.
- Jones' messages to 'M' — declaring love, requesting kisses for hours, and anxiously following up when unanswered — painted a portrait of intense, unrequited feeling that the complainant says he tried to deflect with the deliberate use of the word 'mate'.
- The defence pressed hard on the warmth of the relationship: the weekly flowers, the helicopter rides, the Christmas messages sent even after the alleged incidents — each one a thread pulled to suggest consent or comfort rather than endurance.
- 'M' described pushing Jones away during the apartment incident, feeling the broadcaster's body against his leg, and leaving as quickly as he could — then sending a polite Christmas greeting afterward, explaining simply that he was being polite.
- The trial, now in its third complainant's testimony, carries the weight of six accusers and 17 years of alleged conduct — a long arc that Jones, seated in the Downing Centre, continues to deny in its entirety.
In a Sydney courtroom, a former athlete known only as 'M' has returned to face cross-examination in the trial of 85-year-old broadcaster Alan Jones, who stands accused of 20 counts of indecent assault spanning nearly two decades. The case asks the court to weigh the texture of a long and layered relationship — one marked by generosity, affection, and, the complainant alleges, unwanted physical contact — against Jones' firm denial that any of it occurred. It is a reckoning that touches on the difficulty of naming harm within relationships where power, gratitude, and intimacy are deeply entangled.
Alan Jones, the 85-year-old former radio broadcaster, sat in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court as a man known only as 'M' — a former athlete — returned to the witness box for a second day. He was there to face cross-examination from Jones' defence barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, after spending Monday describing two occasions on which he says Jones kissed him without his consent. Jones denies all 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent, which span 17 years and involve six male complainants. 'M' is the third to give evidence.
The relationship between the two men was long and layered. Jones had helped 'M' professionally and personally, sending him weekly flowers for years — collected from the markets by Jones' driver — as well as a dinner set and a helicopter ride to his rural property. 'M' described the flowers as 'a lovely gesture' and acknowledged he had sent Jones flowers at least once himself. But the messages Jones sent told a different story. After a Sydney event, Jones texted: 'You looked great. I love you, I hope you can feel my kisses darling.' After receiving a photo, he wrote that he wanted to kiss 'M' for hours. When 'M' did not reply quickly, Jones followed up anxiously. 'M' eventually responded: 'Not at all mate. It's nice to be loved.' He told the court he used the word 'mate' deliberately — to push back against what he understood as romantic feeling he did not share.
At the Sydney function where the first alleged incident occurred, 'M' said Jones rose from his seat and kissed him on the corner of his mouth as he walked back to his table. 'I think I froze,' he said. He told no one. On Tuesday, CCTV images from the event were shown in court, and Bashir pressed 'M' on the precise positions of the tables and who might have been watching. He acknowledged he could not be certain anyone at his table had seen it.
The second alleged incident took place at Jones' harbourside apartment. 'M' said Jones kissed him repeatedly on the cheek, moving toward his lips, while declaring his love. He said he could feel Jones' body against his leg, pushed him away, said 'OK, mate' in a tone meant to signal distance, and left as quickly as he could. Afterward, he sent Jones a Christmas message. Asked why, he said he was being polite — mindful of Jones' prominence and the complexity of what they had shared. It was only in December 2023, after reading Kate McClymont's reporting in the Sydney Morning Herald on sexual misconduct allegations against Jones, that 'M' came forward. The trial continues.
Alan Jones, the 85-year-old former radio broadcaster, sat in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Tuesday as a man identified only as "M" returned to the witness box for a second day of testimony. The complainant, a former athlete, was back to face cross-examination from Jones' defence barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC, after spending Monday describing two occasions when he said Jones kissed him without consent.
Jones is defending himself against 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent. The allegations span 17 years, from 2003 to 2020, and involve six male complainants. He denies that any of the alleged physical contact occurred. "M" is the third of these complainants to give evidence.
The relationship between the two men, as it emerged through Monday's testimony and Tuesday's cross-examination, was complex and layered. They had known each other for many years. Jones had helped "M" both professionally and personally at various points. The broadcaster sent him gifts—weekly flowers for years, a dinner set, and even arranged for a helicopter to transport him to Jones' rural property. "M" acknowledged that Jones was generous with him at times, and that he had sent Jones flowers at least once himself. When asked about the weekly flower deliveries, "M" explained that Jones' driver would collect them from the markets and have them delivered. He described it as "a lovely gesture."
Yet the messages between them told a different story, at least from Jones' side. After an event in Sydney roughly a decade ago, Jones texted: "Great to see you. Sorry I didn't catch up after, had to go back to work. You looked great. I love you, I hope you can feel my kisses darling xxxx." On another occasion, after receiving a photo, Jones wrote: "I love the photo. I love you. I want to kiss you for hours. That is beautiful. We must catch up darling." When "M" did not respond immediately, Jones followed up: "I hope my message did not upset you. I love you." "M" replied the next day: "Not at all mate. It's nice to be loved." The complainant later told the court that he used the word "mate" deliberately, to push back against what he saw as romantic overtures. He believed Jones was in love with him, but he did not return those feelings.
At the Sydney function where the first alleged non-consensual kiss occurred, "M" said Jones stood up from his seat and moved toward him as he walked back to his table. Jones kissed him on the corner of his mouth. "I think I froze at that time," "M" said. He did not tell anyone about it. On Tuesday, the court was shown CCTV images from that event. Bashir used them to press "M" on details—where exactly the tables were positioned, where he stood, who was facing which direction. "M" acknowledged he did not know whether anyone at his table was looking toward him when the kiss happened.
The second alleged incident occurred at Jones' harbourside apartment. "M" said Jones kissed him repeatedly on the cheek, moving toward his lips, while saying words to the effect of, "I love you so much, you don't know how much I love you." "M" said he could feel Jones' genitals on his leg. He pushed the broadcaster away, said "OK, mate" in a tone meant to convey "get away from me," and left as quickly as he could.
After this second incident, "M" sent Jones a Christmas message wishing him well. When asked why, he explained that he was being polite. He acknowledged the challenges of their relationship—Jones' media prominence, his reputation, his generosity—and said that was why he wished him well for Christmas, "even though an incident occurred prior to this at their house." In December 2023, "M" read an article by The Sydney Morning Herald's chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont about sexual misconduct allegations against Jones. He took notice and read related articles. The trial continues.
Citations marquantes
I think I froze at that time— Complainant 'M' describing his reaction to the alleged kiss at the Sydney function
I love you so much, you don't know how much I love you— Words Jones allegedly said to 'M' during the apartment incident, according to the complainant's testimony
Envie de l'histoire complète ?
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Crime & Justice