SYDNEY, Oct. 23 — A mother who told a Sydney court she remained reliant on former Australian broadcaster Alan Jones after her son described an alleged sexual incident also said she later sought Jones’ help with his university application.
The allegation forms part of Jones’ criminal trial in Sydney. Complainant A, identified by that label in court coverage, alleges Jones kissed him and touched his buttocks when A was 17, during a visit to Jones’ property in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands.
Jones, 85, has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching. ABC reported that prosecutors dropped one indecent-assault count on Sept. 21, leaving Jones facing 21 charges involving five male complainants. The allegations span 2003 to 2020.
The court heard that A first contacted Jones at 13 to seek help for his single mother. ABC reported that they later exchanged regular emails while Jones provided financial assistance to the family.
After her son told her about the alleged incident, the mother continued to turn to Jones, according to testimony reported by ABC. She asked for his advice about her son’s university application. Jones approached the university, but the application did not lead to admission, ABC reported.
The mother called the relationship a “web of dependency,” ABC reported. ABC also said earlier testimony described Jones helping with construction of the family home and using a connection with the Commonwealth Bank’s then-head to help reduce the family’s mortgage.
The Guardian reported that Jones’ barrister, Claire O’Neill, suggested during cross-examination that the mother kept in touch to get more money. She rejected the suggestion and said she feared Jones’ influence over her finances. The Guardian quoted her saying Jones “had an opinion about everything.” The newspaper reported that the trial was continuing.
