Alan Jones trial hears mother trusted him before son's alleged assault
The mother of a complainant told a Sydney court she trusted the broadcaster when her teenage son stayed at his farm, then noticed a change in his mood after he returned.
The mother of a complainant in Alan Jones's criminal trial told a Sydney court on Tuesday, 20 October, that she trusted the former broadcaster when her 17-year-old son went to stay at his Fitzroy Falls farm. She said she noticed a change in her son's mood after he returned. Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges involving five male complainants.
The woman said she had been comfortable with her son spending two nights at the farm during school holidays because she saw Jones as a mentor who took an interest in him. The two had begun corresponding after the boy, then 13, sought Jones's help with his mother's financial difficulties, the Guardian reported.
Her son, identified in court as complainant A, alleges that Jones kissed him, put his tongue in his mouth and touched his buttocks during the visit. Those allegations are among the matters being heard at the trial; Jones denies the charges.
What complainant A's mother told the court
The mother said her son had met Jones for meals at a pub and at Jones's Circular Quay apartment, but she had not been invited. When the teenager returned from the farm, she said, his mood was different and he was not sleeping. She told the court she knew something was wrong.
About 10 days later, she said, her son gave her a note referring to an incident at Fitzroy Falls without setting out the alleged conduct in detail. She asked whether he wanted to report it to police. He declined, she testified, saying he feared it would be his word against Jones's because Jones was a powerful man.
The mother said she told her son to have no further contact with Jones, but continued corresponding with the broadcaster herself. She said she feared he might withdraw financial help before matters involving her bank were settled. The Guardian reported that Jones paid $100,000 towards repairs to her house; ABC News reported that he also helped reduce her home loan by $600,000.
According to the Guardian, the mother said she first gave a statement to police in May 2024. All five complainants have now completed their evidence, the Guardian reported, as the trial enters its 11th week. Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching relating to alleged incidents between 2003 and 2020.
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Sources and context
- Mother of alleged Alan Jones victim ‘absolutely trusted’ the radio host, court toldThe Guardian (Guardian Australia; Amanda Meade)
- Mother breaks down reading son's note at Alan Jones trialABC News (Ethan Rix)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.