Actor Craig McLachlan awarded $500k from Victoria Police

Former Neighbours star Craig McLachlan has received a massive payout from police after he was acquitted of assault charges.

Australian actor Craig McLachlan has received a six-figure payout from Victoria Police after he was acquitted of assault charges.

The 57-year-old Gold Logie winner has reportedly been given $500,000 in compensation to pay his legal fees after, the Daily Telegraph reports.

McLachlan successfully fought to clear his name after he was hit with 13 charges relating to allegations he assaulted his co-stars while playing the role of Frank N Furter in Australia’s musical production of the Rocky Horror Show back in 2014.

He has strongly denied all allegations.

Craig McLachlan with his partner Vanessa Scammell outside the Supreme Court in Sydney back in May 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Magistrate Belinda Wallington found the former Neighbours star not guilty of 13 charges following a four-week contested hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court back in December 2020.

Following the ruling, she ordered Victoria Police to pay his legal fees.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the case may have racked up more than $1 million in legal fees, and that McLachlan was represented by top criminal lawyer Stuart Littlemore KC.

It is unknown how much of that amount McLachlan was seeking, or what the Victoria Police had offered to pay.

The three-time Logie winner launched Supreme Court action in June 2022.

A Supreme Court mention in January for the case heard the parties had failed to come to an agreement during mediation.

Victoria Police declined to comment.

McLachlan flew out of Sydney back in early March for his first television gig in five years as a recruit for the 2023 season of the Seven Network’s SAS Australia.