Source : Perth Now news
WARNING: graphic content.
A former radio presenter who was at a lunch at which a man alleges he was indecently assaulted by Alan Jones has told a court that people were laughing at the man and “taking the piss” out of him, but said he did not see anything untoward.
Mr Jones, 85, is facing trial in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court as he fights allegations that he groped or kissed six alleged victims.
He has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching and has continuously denied the allegations.
The second complainant to give evidence – a man who can only be known as C – has alleged that Mr Jones touched him on the thigh and penis and kissed him without his consent.
C told the court that during one alleged incident, Mr Jones touched him under the table at a Sydney north shore restaurant, which was seen by several people and left him feeling embarrassed.
Former 2GB presenter Jason Morrison was present at the lunch and on Monday told the court “some people joked (that Jones and C) looked like a great couple but it wasn’t anything else other than banter”.
Mr Morrison told the court the joke was made in the context of the lunch at which C was sitting next to Mr Jones at the “adult end of the table” and it appeared C “wanted to be over with us”.
Mr Morrison, who is currently The Daily Telegraph’s chief of staff, said the people at his end of the table were “laughing and waving” and “taking the piss” out of C because it appeared “he wanted to be at the fun end”.
He said C was “smiling, that was it. Nothing to worry about, put it that way.”
He also said he saw Mr Jones with his arm over C’s shoulder at one point, but Mr Morrison told the court it was in the context of speaking about him.
Mr Morrison said he recalled it being “quite a fun occasion” with “a lot of laughter”.
C previously told the court the lunch occurred at a restaurant on Sydney’s north shore, however Mr Morrison told the court the event was held at a different establishment.
During his evidence, C told the court one man at the lunch said to him: “You copped a feel under the table? Did you like it?”
The man was also previously asked by Mr Jones’ barrister Gabrielle Bashir: “You are aware that Jason Morrison denies seeing (the alleged incident), aren’t you?”
C replied: “I’ve never been told that.”
The proceedings were cut short on Monday because of legal argument.
The trial will continue on Tuesday with the remainder of Mr Morrison’s evidence.
