Fourth Complainant Testifies in Alan Jones Trial

A fourth complainant has given evidence in the Sydney trial of retired Australian radio personality Alan Jones, telling a court that he was inappropriately touched at a public event several years ago. The witness, a corporate executive, testified that he did not immediately react or speak up during the incident because he wished to avoid creating a scene and felt powerless.

Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to 21 offenses, comprising 19 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent involving five male accusers. A separate charge of indecent assault involving a 17-year-old youth was withdrawn and dismissed on Monday following a request by prosecutors.

Executive Describes Sydney Event Incident

Testifying in person at Downing Centre local court on Tuesday, the corporate executive recounted the single occasion he met Jones at a function in Sydney. He told the court that while conversing with Jones and two other men in a room, he felt Jones place a hand on his back, move it down his spine, and rest it on his bottom.

The witness testified that he had not consented to the contact nor indicated any desire to be sexually touched. Explaining why he did not react at the time, he said, “I didn’t want to cause a scene” and added, “I felt a little bit powerless in that situation.”

The court heard that the executive disclosed the incident to his manager that evening and confided in a colleague in the days following. Recalling his reaction during testimony, he said he told his colleague that he “felt disgusting and powerless” and was gaining an understanding of “what women have been going through”.

Media Report Led to Police Statement

Following the function, Jones sent a thank-you email to the executive, who sent a reply. The court was informed that the two men never met again.

Years later, a work colleague forwarded a 2023 Sydney Morning Herald article detailing allegations against Jones. The witness said the report prompted him to contact journalist Kate McClymont to discuss his experience.

Although he described the incident to McClymont, the executive testified that he had not authorized her to publish the details and was distressed when they subsequently appeared in a news article. McClymont is scheduled to give evidence later in the trial. The executive subsequently provided a formal statement to police, leading to one charge of non-consensual sexual touching against Jones.

Charges and Defense Arguments

The executive is the fourth of five complainants scheduled to give evidence in the trial, electing to face the former media figure directly in court.

The allegations against Jones span from 2003 through the conclusion of his 35-year broadcasting career in 2020. Jones, who also previously coached Australia’s national rugby union team, maintains that all accusations against him have been concocted.

Background

Alan Jones was one of Australia’s most prominent talkback radio personalities for over three decades, holding significant media and political influence before his retirement in 2020. The current court proceedings in Sydney follow an extensive police investigation into claims covering several decades of his career.