Craig McLachlan wants to take charges straight to trial
Australian actor Craig McLachlan wants to take his case straight to trial in Victoria’s County Court after being charged with multiple offences, including eight counts of indecent assault.
Law & Order
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Australian actor Craig McLachlan wants to take his indecent assault charges straight to trial in the County Court.
Victoria Police charged McLachlan, 53, last month with eight counts of indecent assault, and one each of assault and attempted indecent assault.
The alleged offences took place in Melbourne between April 21 and July 13, 2014.
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The Herald Sun understands it relates to when he was playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in the stage production of the Rocky Horror Show.
McLachlan, from Potts Point in New South Wales, vehemently denies the allegations.
The former Neighbours and Home And Away star’s case was listed in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for the first time today, but he did not have to attend.
His barrister Stuart Littlemore QC told the court that McLachlan planned to waive his right to test the evidence in a committal hearing, and instead go straight to trial.
“My current thinking is to seek to go straight to trial with hand-up brief as we do want to expedite this as much as we possibly can,” Mr Littlemore said.
The court ordered the prosecution serve the brief of evidence on Mr Littlemore by March 8.
Charge sheets released by the court were heavily-redacted to not identify particulars of the allegations against the Gold Logie winner, or how many complainants.
Magistrate Andrew Capell dismissed media requests to make it clear, when redacting alleged victim’s names, which is common practice, if there were multiple complainants.
“The only purpose in seeking that would be to prejudice Mr McLachlan so you won’t be getting that,” Mr Capell said.
Mr Capell adjourned the case to April 5 and requested McLachlan attend.