‘I can’t get it out of my memory’: Ex-athlete recounts alleged Alan Jones kiss

A former athlete who has accused Alan Jones of kissing him non-consensually has told the broadcaster’s criminal trial he cannot get one of the alleged kisses “out of my memory”.

Complainant “M” was cross-examined for a second day on Thursday in Jones’ indecent assault and sexual touching trial in the Downing Centre Local Court.

He has alleged Jones kissed him non-consensually on the corner of his mouth at an event in Sydney about a decade ago, and repeatedly on the cheek, moving towards his mouth, on a second occasion years later at the broadcaster’s Circular Quay apartment. Jones denies the allegations.

“M” has told the court he could feel Jones’ genitals on his leg during the second alleged incident. He testified that he pushed the broadcaster away and said, “OK, mate”, in a tone intended to convey “get away from me”, and left “as quickly as possible”.

During his cross-examination on Thursday, Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir, SC, suggested variations in the complainant’s accounts to police meant the kiss at the Sydney function “did not happen”.

“The kiss did happen,” the complainant said. “I know the kiss happened because I can’t get it out of my memory.

“What I may not be able to give is who was sitting at my table [and] at which direction something may have happened. Those things I may not recall.”

Bashir questioned “M” about his interactions with Jones over a number of years, including a text message that contained a shirtless photo of the complainant.

“M” said he had just had a photo taken of himself in Paris when Jones had asked how he was doing.

He said he thought he looked good in that photo, so he sent it with the reply: “This well haha.”

The court heard Jones responded: “I love the photo. I love you. I want to kiss you for hours. That is beautiful. We must catch up xxxxxx.”

“M” did not immediately reply to that message, and Jones followed up with a message saying he hoped his earlier text did not upset him. “M” responded: “Not at all mate, it’s nice to be loved.”

“M” has told the court that he had hoped the use of the word “mate” would convey that their relationship was platonic.

The complainant initially told Bashir he did not recall seeing Jones between the event in Sydney and the last time he saw the former broadcaster, when he alleges he was kissed non-consensually for a second time.