Australian actor Craig McLachlan may be called to give evidence in indecent assault case
Australian actor Craig McLachlan may be called to give evidence as his lawyer tries desperately to argue the indecent assault charges his client is facing should be thrown out.
Police & Courts
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Victorian prosecutors have dropped two charges against Australian actor Craig McLachlan as he continues to fight to clear his name over indecent assault allegations.
McLachlan, 54, was playing Frank-n-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show musical production when he is accused of indecently assaulting four female co-stars on and off stage.
The Gold Logie-wining actor — best known for roles in Neighbours and Home and Away — returned to Melbourne Magistrates Court today where his barrister Stuart Littlemore QC said there was no case to answer and pushed magistrate Belinda Wallington to dismiss all charges.
Mr Littlemore said the prosecution’s attempt to rely on his client to have a tendency to behave in this way does not prove indecent intention, claiming the case was “so ambiguous” and “so unclear”.
Prosecutor Matt Fisher dropped one charge of indecent assault and an alternate charge of common law assault relating to allegations McLachlan rubbed his body up against a woman as she warmed up before going on stage.
But Mr Fisher said Ms Wallington should convict McLachlan on the remaining 14 charges.
He said the evidence given by the complainants in closed court late last year was “powerful” and the truth.
“It was not conceded by any of the complainants that any of that touching was either consensual, or part of any role,” Mr Fisher said.
He dismissed suggestions McLachlan’s conduct was a joke or prank.
Mr Fisher said one woman alleges McLachlan forced his tongue into her mouth in an unscripted kiss live on stage in Melbourne.
“It’s not a peck on the cheek,” Mr Fisher said. “It was deliberate.”
Mr Littlemore said often actors find themselves in close, intimate situations.
“It is consented to because it is the role,” he said. “It was meant to be a passionate embrace. A passionate kiss.”
Ms Wallington questioned relevance when the experienced Sydney-based barrister added that “the Australian cricket team is characterised by touching each other on the buttocks when they get a wicket”.
McLachlan has pleaded not guilty to the charges, including indecent assault, common assault and attempted assault.
He was supported in court by his partner Vanessa Scammell.
Ms Wallington will rule next month if the prosecution can rely on tendency, or if Mr Littlemore’s no case submissions have been made out.
Depending on her decision, Mr Littlemore may call McLachlan into the witness box to give evidence.
The case will return to court on April 21.