A former athlete has told a local court he feared losing "everything" if he reported allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching against veteran broadcaster Alan Jones. Jones, 85, is facing a local court hearing and has pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching without consent. The allegations involve six complainants and span incidents between 2003 and 2020 across Sydney and the NSW Southern Highlands. The complainants cannot be identified for legal reasons.
One complainant, who was 14 and an aspiring athlete at the time he met Jones, testified that the broadcaster provided him with a phone and a car to facilitate his travel to training. Jones also allegedly provided a weekly allowance of up to $400, which increased to $600 after the alleged assault occurred. The athlete stated Jones told him he loved him and then kissed him aggressively, requiring him to wipe his face afterward. Following this, Jones allegedly said, "You've been a really good boy. I'm going to give you some more money."
The athlete described feeling grateful for Jones's generosity but stated their relationship was marred by multiple unwanted kisses and groping incidents. "I was fearful of him but I was also accepting these things from him," he told the court. He clarified that he did not consent to the advances but also did not actively push Jones away because he did not want to lose the financial support and resources provided. The complainant recounted feeling trapped when Jones allegedly groped his genitals while driving him at 80 km/h on a regional road, describing the car as "worth more than his life."
He expressed fear that the incidents would continue but was reluctant to confront Jones or report the alleged misconduct due to concerns about losing the benefits he was receiving. Jones's barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, suggested in her opening address that the allegations may have been fabricated, stating, "Rivalry, treachery, double dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more are at the heart of this case." She further claimed the allegations were contaminated, reconstructed, and amplified by Jones's media rivals.
Another allegation involves Jones allegedly groping a second man, who was a colleague, while driving and kissing him repeatedly without consent. A witness is expected to testify to seeing the man's discomfort during a separate alleged incident where Jones is accused of touching him under a table. Ms. Bashir accused this complainant of rewriting his history with the broadcaster.
The court also heard allegations that Jones indecently assaulted and sexually touched a swimmer without consent after approaching him at an awards ceremony, kissing him on the corner of the mouth, and later texting, "Darling, great to see you … I love you." Ms. Bashir contested this, arguing the kiss "simply did not happen."
Jones faces further accusations of indecently assaulting two 17-year-old boys and an older man by touching their bottoms without consent. He has previously denied all allegations, stating in December 2024 that he "never indecently assaulted these people."