Alan Jones accuser told Ray Hadley about alleged assault, court hears

A former colleague of Alan Jones has told a court he confided in broadcaster Ray Hadley and author Peter FitzSimons that Mr Jones had allegedly kissed and touched him at work, but declined to go public with the accusations and asked Mr Hadley not to report it.Complainant C is giving a second day of evidence in Mr Jones's indecent assault and sexual touching trial in the NSW Local Court, where he has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges.The man told the trial last week that Mr Jones kissed him without consent several times in the lift of his Circular Quay apartment and at work, and touched his crotch in the car while he was driving the radio host.The man, who was in his early 20s when the alleged offending began, told the court on Monday Mr Hadley asked in 2019 if he would like to speak to author and former rugby union player Peter FitzSimons, because he was researching allegations about Mr Jones.Peter FitzSimons was researching allegations against Mr Jones. (ABC/Wooden Horse/WildBear Entertainment/Artemis Media)The complainant said he was with Mr Hadley when Mr FitzSimons called the broadcaster, and he agreed to speak to the author on the phone, but declined to go on the record."I told him how Alan used to kiss me, how he used to touch me on the penis," Complainant C said."How it happened when I was driving him."Peter asked me if I wanted to tell that story publicly and I immediately declined."At no point did I tell him who I was, at no point did I identify myself."He said he had never previously disclosed the allegations to Mr Hadley, who sat and listened to the phone conversation."Ray asked if I was OK… I just broke down sobbing," he said."And I said he's a f***ing grub."I said he's a f***ing c***."He offered to go with me to the police."And I said 'no, I don't want to do anything like that'."I asked him to give me an assurance he wouldn't tell anyone."Accuser refused to go publicAsked why he refused to tell the story publicly, Complainant C said at that point he did not want people to know what had happened, and said he was aware Mr FitzSimons did not like Mr Jones."I didn't want to be associated with anything like that," he said.Complainant C said he confided in four friends and two colleagues about Mr Jones's alleged offending before that conversation with Mr Hadley, including telling one person that the radio host was a "grub" and that he "used to grab me on the c***."But Complainant C also described an unwillingness to let people know about the alleged offending.In 2013, when he was no longer working with Mr Jones, he said he was still receiving and responding to "romantic, intimate messages" from the defendant.Asked why he continued to respond, he said it was important professionally to continue a good relationship with Mr Jones."These things had happened with Alan and I didn't want anyone to know," he said."So, in many ways I wanted to keep on his side."He admitted inviting Mr Jones to his wedding after a discussion with his wife, telling the court, "I felt I needed to".In 2014, he said he worked for a politician, and told the court he was asked about his relationship with Mr Jones in the job interview. Complainant C described the talkback host as "very, very important to state politics" at the time, and that "often, policy was decided by some of the topics Alan was working on".Complainant confided in father-in-lawComplainant C said he also confided in his father-in-law about the broadcaster's alleged offending during a discussion about the #MeToo movement, and the sexual abuse claims being made against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.Alan Jones has denied all the allegations. (ABC News: Jamie McKinnell)"I recall [my father-in-law] making a comment about people coming forward making claims against high profile people for money… just to make a name for themselves," he said."I said, 'well now is probably a good time to tell you, this is what Alan Jones did to me, and it's responses like that that would stop me from saying what happened'."I'm now the father of your grandchild and I wouldn't want my name out there."He said his father-in-law then apologised and expressed sympathy.The witness was also asked about another alleged kiss in Melbourne, which is not the subject of a charge, but was allowed to be introduced as "context or relationship" evidence.He gave evidence that Mr Jones kissed him at the Crown Melbourne hotel in 2012, when he was invited by another man to visit the defendant after an AFL game.Complainant C said Mr Jones had asked him alone to come on a "tour" of the hotel room, and approached him immediately after they entered the walk-in wardrobe.The witness said he raised both hands and pushed the defendant away, and the pair rejoined others in the main area of the apartment.