Craig McLachlan back in court over costs fight with police

Months after he discontinued defamation proceedings against news outlets and a former Rocky Horror co-star, Craig McLachlan will head back to court in a fresh battle — this time over costs.

Gold Logie winner Craig McLachlan will again be at the centre of a court case – this time over money owed to him after the unsuccessful prosecution by Victorian Police.

The case in the Victorian Supreme Court is listed for hearing on August 25 after McLachlan was awarded costs when found not guilty of a series of charges relating to his co-stars on The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

McLachlan was charged by the Victorian police with attempted indecent assault, indecent assault and common assault relating to four cast members from the 2014 show in which he starred as Frank N Furter on January 11, 2019.

On July 29 the same year the DPP added further alternative charges to the existing indecent assault charges, plus an additional indecent assault charge.

The case ran in the Victorian Magistrate’s Court for three weeks in November 2019.

Craig McLachlan and his partner Vanessa Scammell pictured leaving the Supreme Court, Sydney CBD. Picture: Damian Shaw

It was due to resume in April 20220 when McLachlan was due to give evidence but was again adjourned due to Covid until November that year.

After a fourth week of evidence Magistrate Belinda Wallington acquitted the Neighbours star of all 18 charges in December.

McLachlan as Frank N Furter in Rocky Horror Show. Picture: Tara Croser.

It is believed costs in the trial would exceed one million dollars.

Sources say the case is listed for both parties to agree to the amount of costs – if the parties can’t reach an agreement the matter could be heard in public.

In May McLachlan discontinued his defamation proceedings against the ABC, Nine Newspapers and actress and co-star Christie Whelan Browne, citing mental strain on himself and his family.

Originally published as Craig McLachlan back in court over costs fight with police