There seems to be some conflicting info of the date of John's ascent. Currently we have it down as the third ascent, made in Aug 1989. However it's reported in Mountain 125 (jan/feb 1989) as the second ascent, and having been done in 1988. Im inclined to believe Mountain here, would have been a pretty significant ascent and seems unlikely they'd have erroneously reported it.
I'd believe Mountain over David Jones here. Likely an honest mistake by the latter, August 1988 over 1989 for example.