Court has ended for the day.
Complainant J will be back in the witness box (appearing via AVL) at 10am tomorrow.
We will return with rolling live news coverage of the proceedings at 9.30am.
Here’s a wrap of what was alleged today:
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Alan Jones first met complainant J when he was 14 years old and a star school athlete and “praised” him about his sports ability.
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J alleged that Jones made a weekly deposit of $400 a week into his bank account and told him he didn’t have to tell anyone because it was a gift.
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J, who was a teenager at the time, alleged that he was asked to drive Jones to a function in Canberra, and while the pair were alone in the hotel room Jones allegedly kissed him in a “smothering” way.
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J alleged that after the Canberra incident Jones told him he had “been a really good boy” and increased his weekly stipend.
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J told the court he didn’t tell his coach about an alleged incident because he “felt I’d lose everything” and said that he had “come from a small family” and “was getting everything handed” to him and it was a “wonderful life”.
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J alleged that one of the indecent assault incidents occurred while he was driving Jones to his Fitzroy Falls farm and Jones grabbed his penis over his pants and then under his underpants.
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Jones’s lawyer, Gabrielle Bashir SC, alleged that “rivalry, treachery, double-dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more” were “at the heart of this case” before telling the court that the credibility and reliability of the complainants would be tested.
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Bashir alleged in the defence of Jones that the complainants were egged on to complain about Jones by media rivals.
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A reminder of our warning this live blog may contain graphic content when discussing evidence in the trial
Complainant J has alleged that one of the indecent assault incidents occurred while he was driving Alan Jones to his Fitzroy Falls farm and Jones grabbed his penis over his pants and then under his underpants.
J, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged offence, told the court that the pair were about 20 minutes from the property when the alleged incident happened.
J alleged Jones pulled his penis, which became erect, out of his pants and his underpants and “was squeezing it really tight”.
He alleged of the incident:
It was so hard I felt like blood vessels might go.
J said he squeezed his penis in that manner for five to 10 minutes.
Asked if he consented to Jones touching him on the penis over or under his clothes, J said he did not.
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‘For me it was a fearful relationship,’ J tells court
Complainant J has been asked to characterise the nature of his relationship with Alan Jones.
He has just finished giving evidence alleging Jones gave him a car so he could get to his athletics training.
He told the court:
I was fearful of him, but I was also accepting these things from him. And I didn’t want to lose those things.
The friendship I would say was tainted by the things that were going on.
For me it was a fearful relationship.
Jones allegedly gave J a weekly stipend to support his training, as well as a mobile phone and later a car.
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Jones allegedly told teenager 'you've been a really good boy' and would get 'more money' after kiss
Complainant J has alleged that after an incident where Alan Jones allegedly kissed him he told him he had “been a really good boy” and increased his weekly stipend.
J, who was a teenager at the time, alleged that he was asked to drive Jones to a function in Canberra, and while the pair were alone in the hotel room Jones allegedly kissed him in a “smothering” way.
J alleged that after the incident Jones said to him:
You’ve been a really good boy. I’m going to give you some more money.
J said his regular weekly stipend increased by $100 a week.
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Complainant J has described for the court another alleged incident when he was asked to drive Alan Jones to a function in Canberra.
The pair were alone in a hotel room, J alleged, and Jones moved in for a hug.
J alleged of the incident:
He went back into passionate mode and said ‘I really love you mate’ … and he gave me another kiss on the mouth. It was different to the first few, it was like a chomping motion, he had big lips that went past my nose and below my chin.
I had to use my shirt and wipe my mouth. When he turned around I quickly wiped my mouth.
J was asked to elaborate on the “chomping motion” of the kiss:
[It was] open and then closing, smothering.
J said he kept his own mouth closed.
J was asked:
Did you consent to that kiss?
He responded:
No.
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J didn’t tell his coach about an alleged assault because he felt he’d ‘lose everything’, court hears
Complainant J has told the court about an evening at Alan Jones’ Circular Quay apartment.
He alleges his coach drove him to the meeting with Jones, and the coach was very excited to meet Jones. But the coach was told to wait downstairs in the car.
J alleged to the court of the incident:
I felt really sad for him [his coach] because he had dressed so well and he was looking forward to talking to the defendant.
J alleged that Jones kissed him without consent as he went to leave the apartment.
In court, J was asked by the prosecutor why he didn’t tell his coach when he returned to the car.
I didn’t tell him because I felt I’d lose everything. I come from a small family and I was getting everything handed to me and it was a wonderful life, the car, the payments. And I’d be embarrassed, I would have to tell my friends and family. I am not inclined that way towards other men, and I didn’t want anyone to know.
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Complainant J has alleged that Alan Jones made a weekly deposit of $400 a week into his bank account and told him he didn’t have to tell anyone because it was a gift.
In earlier evidence, J described a high-profile event he attended where he was seated with multiple high-profile people, including the then prime minister.
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Jones allegedly commented on sprinter's penis before giving teenager 'peck kiss on the lips'
Complainant J has given evidence about an alleged visit to Alan Jones’s Circular Quay apartment not long after the teenager returned from an athletics competition.
J told the court was he was sitting on the couch while the pair discussed athletics and some of J’s competitors and compatriot athletes.
Discussing sprinters, Jones allegedly said a sprinter – which Guardian Australia has chosen not to name – has “got a big cock”.
J told the court:
I took that as my cue to leave. I said it was late, time to go.
J alleged that Jones put his arm out for a “cuddle”.
J alleged:
He pulled me slightly towards him and gave me a peck kiss on the lips.
Prosecutor Georgina Wright asked J:
Did you consent to being kissed on the mouth that night?
He replied:
No, I wasn’t given the opportunity.
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Broadcaster praised teenager's 'athletics career' and gifted him a silver Nokia phone
Alan Jones first met complainant J when he was 14 years old and a star school athlete and “praised” him about his sports ability, the court has heard.
Complainant J, whose case accounts for nine of the 22 charges, has alleged the offending against him began in 2003 when he was 17-years-old and spanned into 2004.
J, who is being questioned by the prosecution, told the court that Jones:
Praised me about my athletics, asked me about my athletics career, it was all about athletics, and what school I went to, he asked about my family.
He told Jones he was from a single-parent family, living in Sydney, the court heard.
J alleged that at the end of the meeting, Jones held his arms out – making an embracing gesture – “and he gave me a cuddle”.
The pair allegedly had a second meeting as J continued to excel in his sporting career. J was still at high school “under 17 years of age”, the court heard.
At that meeting Jones allegedly gave him a box and inside was a silver Nokia phone, the court heard.
Jones allegedly said “that’s a gift for you” so they could keep in contact. J told the court that he thanked Jones and was “grateful”.
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Complainant J gives evidence via closed circuit TV
The public and non-accredited media have now been ushered out of the courtroom as the first of Alan Jones’ alleged victims, complainant J, appears via a closed circuit television to give his evidence from a location outside the courtroom.
The court is closed to the public for J’s evidence.
But media are allowed to remain inside the courtroom to hear and report his evidence. We cannot identify him in any of our reports for legal reasons.
A reminder of our warning that this live blog may contain graphic content when discussing evidence in the trial.
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Jones’s lawyer alleges complainants were egged on by media rivals
Gabrielle Bashir SC has alleged in the defence of Alan Jones that the complainants were egged on to complain about Jones by media rivals.
This included, Bashir alleged, shockjock Ray Hadley and Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons.
Bashir alleged FitzSimons harboured an intense dislike of Jones and encouraged complainants to make complaints about Jones.
Bashir also alleged that FitzSimons passed information to the Sydney Morning Herald’s investigative reporter Kate McClymont.
Bashir alleged:
FitzSimons was looking for a story and so was Kate McClymont.
Bashir then alleged Hadley “wanted to destroy” Jones and “tear him apart”.
“This story sold newspapers,” Bashir alleged to the court.
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The defence had received a “little bundle of dynamite” that it obtained under force of subpoena, Gabrielle Bashir SC has told the court.
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Alan Jones’s lawyer says ‘opportunism’ at the heart of the case
Turning to the defence’s opening argument now, which is being given by Alan Jones’s lawyer, Gabrielle Bashir SC.
Bashir SC has alleged that “Rivalry, treachery, double-dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more” are “at the heart of this case” before telling the court that the credibility and reliability of the complainants would be tested.
Bashir said this would include:
What they [the complainants] did not tell the police, what they left out of their statements.
We have discovered … concoction, contamination and reconstruction.
He alleged:
Rivalry, treachery, double-dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more are all at the heart of this case.
Bashir told the court that for years “rumours allegations and innuendo” have been thrown at Alan Jones but “trial by media” is very different from a trial in a court.
Bashir said:
Beyond reasonable doubt must be satisfied.
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Returning to the prosecution’s argument for a moment before we bring you updates from Alan Jones’s legal team’s opening argument, which I’m told has begun.
Jones is accused of indecently assaulting complainant J after he allegedly got into a bed with J, pulled him close and then kissed him.
The court heard during the prosecution’s opening argument that J, after being asked by Jones if he was OK, said he had never done anything like this before.
Jones then allegedly grabbed J’s penis before taking out his own.
J was 17 at the time the alleged offending began in 2003 and carried into 2004.
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A break from the evidence to let you know there has been a technical failure in the courtroom’s systems for this high-profile trial.
There is no working audio-visual link of the opening arguments, despite assurances from the court there would be.
This has meant we’ve had to rely on our reporters inside the court room for live updates.
We’re told the team that manages media in the local court is scrambling to fix the issue.
But because this is a local court matter, there is no associate that they can contact to alert them that there’s an issue with the system.
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The opening from the prosecution has finished.
Judge Glenn Walsh is dealing with outstanding subpoenas before the court hears from the defence.
Prosecutor details relationship between Jones and teenage athlete
Wright is now detailing the alleged relationship between Alan Jones and complainant M, who met Jones when he was a 15-year-old accomplished athlete.
The court has heard he invited complainant M to dinner and when he complimented him on the tableware Jones sent him a gift of the same tableware.
On another visit when complainant M complimented the flowers, Jones allegedly sent him fresh flowers each week.
The court heard Jones referred to the young man as “handsome man”, “superstar” and “champion”.
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Court hears allegations made by complainant C
The court has also heard allegations made by complainant C, who worked at Alan Jones’s radio station 2GB, and as Jones’s driver.
The prosecution alleged Jones would talk about C’s penis, “calling him ‘Donkey’ and saying things like ‘It’s not really that big is it?’ and ‘when can I see it?’”
The court heard allegations that Jones, on several occasions, touched C on the penis, outside his clothes, and rubbed his hand up and down C’s penis as C drove him home from his radio program.
C also alleges Jones would regularly kiss him when they were alone together in lifts, at Jones’s home at 1 Macquarie Street and at the 2GB offices. Often, C was holding Jones’s jacket and briefcase at the time.
C did not consent to any of Jones’s behaviour, prosecutor Georgina Wright told the court.
Wright said the court would be presented with text messages sent by Jones to C, commenting on the “size of his penis, dismay at never having seen C’s penis” and declarations of love.
Wright alleged to the court C did not invite or want to receive the messages but felt he had to reply because he was “concerned about his position in the media industry if he overtly rejected” Jones.
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Court told of allegations by complainant J
Prosecutor Georgina Wright has told the court that while complainant J was driving the defendant to his Fitzroy Falls property Alan Jones put his hand on his penis, causing him to jump.
Jones is then alleged to have put his hands down complainant J’s underpants and squeezed his penis. The defendant made comments about his penis and complainant J had an erection.
When they got out of the car Jones grabbed complainant J and attempted to give him a kiss, the court heard.
Wright alleged Jones asked him if it was OK and complainant J said no, I have never done anything like this.
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Alan Jones trial hears broadcaster gave teenager hundreds of dollars a week
The trial has begun.
The crown prosecutor, Georgina Wright, is first to give an opening statement before judge Glenn Walsh.
She is outlining the charges against Alan Jones, starting with complainant J, who met Jones when he was 14 and broke an athletics record.
He was interviewed by Jones on 2GB and Jones bought him a mobile phone and gave him his phone number, the court heard.
Wright alleged before the court that Jones had told complainant J he should concentrate on his training and he would financially support him.
He started giving him $400 a week, paid into his bank account once a fortnight. Over time it rose to $500 and then $600 a week.
In 2003 Jones allegedly repeatedly told complainant J, the court heard, that he loved him, and he would kiss him on the mouth.
It is the crown case that at no time did complainant J consent to the kissing or touching.
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Before the trial began today, days of pre-trial hearings were held to organise the schedule, clarify issues and determine the admissibility of certain evidence.
On Friday, Alan Jones’ legal team attempted to prevent the media from directly reporting the evidence of complainant J, who is scheduled to give evidence later today.
They argued that because the evidence is being heard “in-camera” – which means in private and is typically done in such cases to protect the identity of the alleged victim – it did not “permit publication”.
But the judge, Glenn Walsh, rejected this application, stating that in-camera evidence does not prohibit the direct publication of it.
He also noted that complainant J was not “fussed” by media reporting his evidence.
The decision means the media will remain in the courtroom while complainant J gives evidence and can directly report that.
However he will remain anonymised as complainant J in line with the right of all alleged victims of sexual offences to maintain their privacy.
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Alan Jones arrives at court
Alan Jones has walked into court, with the aid of a cane.
He said hello to a few people waiting in the line to get into the courtroom.
The court is still closed but populated with lawyers involved with the case – from both prosecution and defence sides – and now, the defendant.
When he exited his car outside court, the media scrum flocked towards him.
In that moment, as my colleague Ima Caldwell observed, he remained silent as reporters peppered him with questions:
“How does it feel to have your day in court,” one asked.
“What do you have to say to your alleged victims?” asked another.
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My colleague Ben Doherty, who is waiting outside the courtroom, says lawyers have begun to arrive, some wheeling carriages of documents.
A line has built up outside of journalists and members of the public waiting for the courtroom to open.
But not everyone is going to fit.
The trial has been scheduled for a very small courtroom, despite the intense public and media interest.
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Media gathers outside Downing Centre
I am outside Sydney’s downing centre this morning where a wall of media has gathered before Alan Jones’s trial.
Cameras on shoulders and microphones out, crews and reporters are competing for a position to catch a glimpse of Jones when he arrives.
Meanwhile, more reporters are lining up inside to grab one of the limited seats inside the courtroom.
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Alan Jones enjoyed his position at the top of media, political and sporting circles for the better part of four decades.
The former English master rose to be a successful Wallabies coach, a prime ministerial speech writer and a top-rating shock jock who was both courted and feared by the political establishment.
So demanding was Jones that the former prime minister John Howard was said to have appointed a dedicated go-between known as the minister for Alan Jones. People on both sides of politics believed Jones’s breakfast radio show could influence elections.
Today, the 85-year-old will be sitting in the dock in a New South Wales local court room as a criminal defendant.
My colleague Amanda Meade, who will be covering the case from inside the court room, has detailed here Jones’s career and the charges he now faces:
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Today’s hearing will kick off at 10am and will begin with opening arguments from the prosecution and Alan Jones’s lawyers.
The first complainant – complainant J – is then expected to give evidence this afternoon.
Complainant J is anonymised in line with the right of all alleged victims of sexual offences to maintain their privacy.
The court heard in pre-trial arguments complainant J, whose case accounts for nine of the 22 charges, told police he met Jones as a young man and was given a mobile phone by the then 2GB breakfast host, who invited him to visit his Macquarie Street apartment.
Jones is alleged to have put his arms around complainant J at the apartment, and given him a “squeeze” and a “peck” on the mouth while saying “I love you mate”.
The court has heard that Jones allegedly touched complainant J’s penis while he was driving him to Fitzroy Falls in the New South Wales southern highlands.
The prosecution case is that there is a pattern of alleged behaviour by Jones involving the targeting of “significantly younger men” in his professional and social circle.
You can read more about the case in our story here:
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Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live blog covering Alan Jones’s indecent assault trial.
The former broadcaster’s high-profile trial begins today in Sydney’s Downing Centre local court and is expected to run for four months and hear from 76 witnesses.
Jones is facing 22 charges at his judge-alone trial. They include 20 indecent assault and two sexual touching charges, the court was told in pre-trial hearings last month. In 2018 the offence of indecent assault was replaced by sexual touching, carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
The youngest complainant, who was 17 at the time of the alleged offending, is due to give evidence in camera – or in a closed courtroom – today after the delivery of opening statements by the prosecution and the defence.
Thanks for joining us.
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