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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Crime & Justice

Alan Jones allegedly gifted cash and car to teenager he kissed after commenting on sprinter’s penis, trial hears

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Broadcaster Alan Jones allegedly gifted cash and a car to a 14-year-old athlete he later kissed, a Sydney court heard.
  • The athlete, identified as J, testified that Jones befriended him after he broke a record and provided him with a phone, car, and weekly payments.
  • Jones, 85, faces charges of indecent assault and sexual touching, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

A former champion athlete testified in a Sydney court that broadcaster Alan Jones befriended him when he was 14, subsequently gifting him a mobile phone, a car, and up to $600 weekly. The complainant, known as J, gave evidence on the first day of Jones's trial for indecent assault and sexual touching.

He pulled me slightly towards him and gave me a peck kiss on the lips.

— JThe complainant described an alleged incident during a visit to Alan Jones's apartment.

J told the court that Jones initially contacted him through his coach and invited him to his home on multiple occasions while J was still in school. During one visit, after a Chinese meal and while watching tennis, Jones allegedly made comments about an athlete's penis size, stating he had "a big cock."

J testified that he took this "strange comment" as a signal to leave. He recounted that Jones hugged him, saying "I love you mate," to which J replied, "I love you too, you've done a lot for me." J alleged that Jones then put his arm out for a "cuddle" and gave him a "peck kiss on the lips."

Did you consent to being kissed on the mouth that night?

— Prosecutor Georgina WrightQuestioning J about the alleged kiss.

When asked by prosecutor Georgina Wright if he consented to the kiss, J replied, "No, I wasn't given the opportunity." He stated he did not kiss Jones back and "froze" during the brief encounter. Jones's demeanor reportedly shifted from "passionate I love you" to "business mode" immediately after the kiss.

No, I wasn't given the opportunity.

— JResponding to the question of consent regarding the alleged kiss.

Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, suggested that alleged victims were encouraged to complain by media rivals, including shock jock Ray Hadley and Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons, whom she accused of harboring an intense dislike for Jones. J is the first of six complainants expected to testify against Jones, who faces 22 charges. The trial is expected to last four months and involve 76 witnesses.

I love you mate

— Alan JonesAllegedly said by Jones to J during a visit.
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Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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