Complainant H, an executive decades younger than Jones, began giving evidence in the NSW Local Court on Tuesday. Jones, 85, faces 21 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The man testified that he met Jones for the first time at an event, where the former broadcaster allegedly 'placed his hand on the top of my back and went slowly down my back and then rested it on my bottom'. He said he did not react at the time because he 'didn't want to cause a scene' and thought confronting Jones 'could potentially ruin the night'.
Complainant H told the court he recounted the incident to his boss as he was leaving the event, and she was 'angry' and made him feel supported. He also shared the experience with a second colleague a couple of days later, telling him: 'I felt disgusting and powerless and that's really the first time I've understood what women have been going through for all these years.'
Jones has been charged with one count of sexual touching in relation to the alleged incident. The executive also gave evidence about how his allegations became public. He said that in 2023 he saw an article in the Sydney Morning Herald containing allegations about Jones and contacted the journalist, Kate McClymont. He told the court he did not give permission for his story to be published, but in May 2024 a second article appeared that included his allegations without naming him. Asked by prosecutor Georgina Wright SC whether he authorised publication, the man said he did not, and confirmed he was upset about it.
The trial continues.