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Alan Jones greeted athlete with 'slap on the bottom', ex-butler tells court

David Allan, who served as the broadcaster's personal butler for 18 years, gives evidence in indecent assault trial

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
Alan Jones's former butler has told a Sydney court the radio host would greet a high-profile complainant with a hug and a 'slap on the bottom' during visits to his luxury apartment, as the broadcaster faces 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching.

David Allan, 79, who worked as Mr Jones's personal butler for more than 18 years, is giving evidence in the NSW Local Court. Mr Jones has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include allegations he kissed a prominent athlete, referred to as Complainant M, twice without his consent.

Mr Allan, who trained as a butler in the United Kingdom, said his former employer hosted a "cavalcade" of famous people—including many high-profile sports stars—for lunches, dinners and parties at his Circular Quay apartment, known as The Toaster.

Recalling visits from Complainant M, Mr Allan told the prosecution how Mr Jones would greet the athlete: "With a hug ... a slap on the bottom ... 'hello champion'."

Asked if he had used the phrase "a slap on the bottom", the butler replied: "Probably the wrong thing to say today isn't it…" He added: "They slap each other, it's what they all do," referring to how sportsmen greet one another.

Under cross-examination by defence barrister Clare O'Neill, Mr Allan said several times he did not witness Mr Jones behave "inappropriate" towards any of his male guests, including Complainant C and Complainant M. Ms O'Neill suggested her client would "gesticulate with his hands" when speaking and regularly greet people with a hug. When asked "He'd touch someone's leg to make a point?", Mr Allan replied: "I guess I've seen that."

The butler also described his duties at The Toaster, saying he would design Mr Jones's shirts, buy fabric for his suits, do all the cleaning, polish shoes and clean the loos. He said he may have asked guests to help with chores on occasion, such as unpacking a case of wine.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The testimony of a long-term domestic employee provides a rare, inside perspective on the broadcaster's private interactions with young male athletes, which are central to the prosecution's case.
  • The trial is a high-profile test of whether the court will accept non-consensual physical contact as a pattern of behaviour by a public figure.
  • The outcome could influence public debate around consent and the boundaries of physical greetings in sports and social settings.

Background

Alan Jones is a prominent Australian radio broadcaster and former rugby union coach. He is facing 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching relating to allegations spanning several years. The complainants include multiple young men, among them a prominent athlete referred to as Complainant M. Jones has maintained his innocence throughout. The trial is being heard in the NSW Local Court.

Key Perspectives

Prosecution: The prosecution is seeking to establish that Mr Jones's greetings and physical contact with young male athletes went beyond acceptable social or sporting norms, amounting to indecent assault. Defence: The defence argues that Mr Jones's behaviour—hugging, touching a leg to make a point, and friendly gestures—was consistent with his gregarious personality and the normal camaraderie among sportsmen. The former butler: Mr Allan has provided testimony that supports the prosecution's description of Jones's physical greetings, but under cross-examination he stated he never saw Jones act inappropriately toward any guest.

What to Watch

  • Further testimony from Mr Allan and other witnesses, particularly around specific incidents and dates.
  • The court's assessment of witness credibility, especially the reliability of memories stretching back to 2003.
  • The closing arguments and eventual verdict, which will determine whether the defence's characterisation of Jones's behaviour prevails.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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