Craig McLachlan’s ‘lewd jokes’ with accuser revealed in court
Craig McLachlan sent footage of himself simulating masturbation to a co-star, a court has heard. But he says it was part of “lewd jokes” the pair used to share.
Police & Courts
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Craig McLachlan sent home-made videos of himself simulating masturbation and sitting on the toilet with his jeans around his ankles to one of his female co-stars who has accused him of indecent assault, a court has heard.
But the Aussie actor has told the Melbourne Magistrates Court he was just “joking” in the phone clips.
One 12-second video, played to the court on Thursday, showed McLachlan sitting on a toilet with his jeans around his ankles, before showing his face screwed up.
Asked what he was doing in the footage, the Sydney-based actor said he had sent it to the woman as “a comedic video” after she told him she had been “shitting” from the catering food provided at an event.
Another 20-second clip showed McLachlan laying on the bathroom floor near the toilet, again with a screwed up face and his pants around his ankles.
Asked to describe a third 16-second video showing him zoom in on touching his genital region on the outside of his shorts before showing his face in an orgasmic pose, he said it was part of “lewd jokes” the pair used to share.
“What are you doing in it?” the prosecution asked.
McLachlan replied: “I am simulating touching myself outside of my shorts.”
When the prosecution asked if he was simulating masturbating, he said: “Simulating, comedically, yes.”
McLachlan said he would not describe the videos as vulgar in the context of their friendship.
The court had earlier heard how they had known each other for many years and that the woman had also sent him photos of herself on the toilet, and of her faeces.
But their friendship ended when McLachlan found out about the accusations in 2018.
McLachlan, 55, said he has had no communication with her since.
It would be a year later, in January 2019, that he would be charged by Victoria Police.
He is fighting the allegations, which include that he exposed himself to one woman, inappropriately touched another’s genitals, forcefully held another’s face, and gave unwanted kisses and hugs.
Magistrate Belinda Wallington is tasked with determining if there is sufficient evidence to convict McLachlan on seven counts of indecent assault, and six counts of assault.
The hearing continues.
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