Alleged victim Complainant C testified in Sydney court that Alan Jones’s yelling ceased once his “sexual behaviour” commenced, according to court proceedings from Thursday.
C recounted being “reprimanded, yelled at and intimidated” during his employment with the former 2GB host in the mid-2000s.
The narrative shifted when Jones initiated physical contact, including touching C on the penis and kissing him.
C stated to the Downing Centre local court during re-examination: “Once the sexual behaviour began, he was nicer to me.” He added: “I was obviously intimidated, but the yelling stopped.”
The 85-year-old broadcaster has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching involving six men.
When questioned about why C did not attempt to prevent Jones’s advances in work lifts or at Jones’s Macquarie Street residence, C explained: “There is no circumstance I ever would have pushed Alan away given the power dynamic between us, given my role working for him, and the significant influence he held in my life.”
C emphasized his position as Jones’s employee and the broadcaster’s overall prominence: “He was my boss, my employer … and a very influential figure in our industry.”
C further noted their continued text communication after Jones’s 2020 retirement, referencing a message where he claimed to owe his career to Jones and described Jones’s conduct as “great decency” and “generosity and kindness that has never wavered.”
Defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC argued that “grooming typically involves young children,” challenging the characterization of C’s experience. C countered: “Grooming is a covert behaviour that makes you feel you need to act in a certain way, and you are taught to comply.”
C emphasized the length of Jones’s influence: “He was more than 40 years older than me and held vastly more power as a junior staffer.”
Defence counsel further noted C’s text messages to Jones contained “intimate and sexual content consistent with a decade of grooming.” The prosecution countered that such messages are inconsistent with alleged assault.
Bashir suggested Jones’s actions were partially motivated by rivalry with Ray Hadley, claiming Jones was “under pressure” due to a social media backlash and a group called Sleeping Giants when C approached a journalist.
C clarified he did not seek public exposure at the time, stating: “It terrified me. For my own welfare, I couldn’t do it.”
C expressed fears of retribution from Jones if he came forward.