Former Alan Jones colleague tells court of currying favour through texts

A former colleague of Alan Jones has testified in court that he sent flirtatious text messages to the veteran broadcaster in an attempt to curry favor with him. The complainant, referred to as C, alleged that he was indecently assaulted by Jones on eight separate occasions while they worked together in 2008. The trial before Judge Glenn Walsh continues.

C claimed that Jones kissed him without consent multiple times in his apartment and car, and touched his genital area during a drive. Additionally, C alleged that another coworker witnessed Jones groping his penis through his pants during a lunch in Mosman. Jones has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching from the years 2003 to 2020.

During cross-examination, C was asked about previous comments he made about working with Jones, such as describing staff as family and stating that he had a great time. C admitted that these comments were not an accurate representation of his experience and that he had said them before he spoke out about the allegations. He also testified that he felt anxious and uncomfortable when accompanying a politician, whom he worked for at the time, on a meeting with Jones at his Circular Quay apartment in 2015.

The defence barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, questioned the authenticity of C's description of his feelings, as he allegedly responded to a message from Jones expressing happiness and satisfaction following their meeting. C denied that he would have written such a message if he had been truly anxious or uncomfortable.