‘Get real’: Complainant’s emotional outburst during Alan Jones trial

A former staffer to Alan Jones has reacted angrily in court after being asked repeatedly if he had fabricated his claims that the then-broadcaster indecently assaulted him.

Complainant “C” faced further cross-examination in the NSW Local Court on Tuesday by Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC, about texts and other messages he had sent the former 2GB host after he alleges Jones had kissed and touched him without his consent.

Asked about an effusive thank-you letter he penned the broadcaster after Jones gave “C” and his wife a wedding gift, the complainant said: “Alan was still a very, very powerful person in our industry. He was, dare I say it, more powerful than [fellow broadcaster] Ray Hadley.

“I hate reading these messages because it’s not how I felt. But it’s how I felt I needed to respond to him.”

Bashir suggested “C” hated reading his messages to Jones because they exposed his allegations as fabrications.

“No, because I don’t like the references to him talking about my c--- ... I don’t like hearing a bloke, 40 years older, writing to a straight guy, wanting to play with his penis. Get real,” “C” burst out.

“Sorry,” he said. “You will never find another message to any person in my life where I talk to anyone like this.”

Bashir asked Judge Glenn Walsh to order “C” to respond to the question. Walsh refused.

“No, these are sensitive matters where he’s been asked 16 times if he lied about being touched on the penis,” Walsh said.

Jones, 85, is standing trial in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on 20 charges of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent. He denies the allegations.

“C”, the second of six complainants to give evidence in the trial, is a former staffer to the broadcaster and has been in the witness box since Friday.

Of the 22 counts in the proceedings, eight indecent assault charges relate to “C” and involve allegations of unwanted kissing and touching.

“C” has alleged Jones touched him repeatedly on the penis over his clothing, either in the car as he was driving Jones or at a lunch function where other guests were present.

Much of Bashir’s cross-examination of “C” has centred on text messages, tendered in evidence, in which “C” responded to Jones in a way that he has agreed was flirtatious.