A former athlete has told a Sydney court that he asked veteran broadcaster Alan Jones for a reference after alleging Jones had indecently assaulted him on multiple occasions, beginning when he was a teenager. Jones, 85, is facing the first week of what is expected to be a months-long hearing at the Downing Centre Local Court, having pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching without consent. He has consistently denied all the allegations against him.

Six men, whose identities are protected, allege that Jones indecently assaulted or sexually touched them at various times between 2003 and 2020, at locations across Sydney and the New South Wales Southern Highlands. The first complainant to give evidence described how he came to know Jones and detailed the alleged abuse, with proceedings expected to continue over several months as further witnesses give evidence.