Actor Craig McLachlan may go straight to trial on assault, sex offence charges, court told
Craig McLachlan's acting career spanned decades, including The Dr Blake Mysteries. (Facebook: Craig McLachlan)
Actor Craig McLachlan may choose to go straight to trial on assault and sex offence charges to expedite the case, a Melbourne court has been told.
Key points:
- The charges coincide with the actor's time playing the lead role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 2014
- Mr McLachlan will be required to appear in court on April 5 for the next hearing
- His lawyer said he may forego his right to a committal hearing
Mr McLachlan, 53, was excused from appearing at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court for his first hearing after being charged with common law assault, attempted indecent assault and eight counts of indecent assault last month.
The Sydney man was represented by barrister Stuart Littlemore QC, who told the court Mr McLachlan would likely forego his right to a committal hearing which would test whether there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
"My current thinking is to seek to go straight to trial with a hand-up brief, because we do want to expedite this as much as we possibly can," he told the court.
Mr McLachlan will be required to appear at the next hearing on April 5.
Magistrate Andrew Capell ordered the charge sheets be redacted and refused to release the number of complainants in the case.
"The only purpose in seeking that would be to prejudice Mr McLachlan, so you won't be getting that," he told reporters.
Charges coincide with musical in Melbourne
The charges coincide with the actor's time playing the lead role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show musical in Melbourne in 2014.
Craig McLachlan performing as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (Facebook: Rocky Horror Show Australia)
When he was charged, a spokesman for the well-known Australian actor said Mr McLachlan would fight the charges.
"Craig is innocent of these charges which will be vigorously defended," the spokesman said.
Last year, a joint ABC/Fairfax investigation revealed three of Mr McLachlan's female co-stars accused him of bullying and sexual misconduct during the 2014 tour of The Rocky Horror Show.
The actor denies the allegations and is suing the ABC, Fairfax and one of the actors for defamation in the NSW Supreme Court.
The defamation trial has now been delayed until the criminal proceedings are completed.
Mr McLachlan's acting career has spanned decades and has included roles in Home and Away, Packed to the Rafters and The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
He got his break in 1987 when he starred in Australian soap opera Neighbours and went on to appear in more than 800 episodes of the show.