Alan Jones trial: Executive tells Sydney court he felt ‘disgusting’ and ‘powerless’ after alleged touching

An executive who alleges Alan Jones slid his hand down his back and touched his bottom during a Sydney event has told a court that he felt “disgusting” and “powerless”.

Mr Jones is standing trial having denied a string of charges related to allegations that he groped or kissed five male complainants between 2003 and 2020.

The ex-media titan is battling allegations made by five alleged victims after prosecutors on Monday dropped one count of indecent assault, meaning that one complainant, known as “F”, will no longer be part of the trial.

Mr Jones has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching and has continuously denied the allegations.

The trial, in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, has entered its eighth week and has heard from three complainants.

One man, who can only be known as “Complainant H”, began his evidence on Tuesday.

‘His hand slowly went down’

The court was told the man alleged that Mr Jones touched him on his back and slid his hand down to rest on the top of his bottom at a functionmore than five years ago.

Mr Jones has been charged with one count of sexual touching in relation to H.

The man, who was an executive, told the court on Tuesday that the alleged incident occurred at an event attended by about 15 to 20 people.

The man said he was standing with Mr Jones, talking to two other men, when the broadcaster touched him on the back.

“It was a hand on the upper back at first … his hand slowly went down my spine and then rested on my bottom,” H told the court on Tuesday.

The man said he did not recall how long Mr Jones rested his hand on his bottom.

H told the court that at the time he was standing “very close” to Mr Jones.

‘Cause a scene’

He said he did not react or say anything at the time.

“I didn’t want to cause a scene … I thought that could potentially ruin the night,” H said.

H said he told his boss that night and a workmate in the following days.

He told the court that he told his workmate he felt “disgusting” and “powerless” and “understood what women have been going through all these years”.

Asked by Crown prosecutor Georgina Wright SC whether he had consented to Mr Jones touching him, the man said: “No.”

The court was told that four days later, Mr Jones sent H an email thanking him for the job he did at the event.

H replied and Mr Jones sent another message back two days later, the court was told.

‘Upset’

Allegations against Mr Jones were first aired by journalist Kate McClymont in a Sydney Morning Herald story in December 2023.

H told the court that he read the story and contacted Ms McClymont via social media before they spoke on the phone.

He told the court on Tuesday that Ms McClymont wrote a May 2024 story and in five paragraphs mentioned his account of his allegations.

The story did not mention his name or identify him; however, he told the court that he had not authorised Ms McClymont to use the information.

“Were you upset about that?” Ms Wright asked.

“Yes I was,” H replied.

The trial continues.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.