Craig McLachlan: Former Neighbours star 'indecently assaulted actress during musical performance'

The former Neighbor's star has been charged with indecent assault
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Rebecca Speare-Cole18 November 2019

Australian actor Craig McLachlan assaulted a female co-star in the middle of a musical performance when he was only meant to simulate a sex act, a court has heard.

The former star of both Neighbours and Home And Away is facing multiple charges of assault and one of indecent assault, involving four women who worked with him in a production of The Rocky Horror Show in 2014.

The 54-year-old won Australian theatre's prestigious Helpmann Award for best actor for the role. He denies all allegations.

During a hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court, prosecution lawyer Matt Fisher alleged McLachlan "went beyond the role he was directed to perform".

Craig McLachlan performs as the character Frank N Furter during a media call for the Rocky Horror Show at the Comedy Theatre on April 23, 2014
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He said McLachlan assaulted one female co-star during the scene in which he was meant to be simulating a sex act, which took place out of sight of the audience.

McLachlan kissed her more than 20 times and allegedly used his finger to trace the outline of the woman's genitals, Mr Fisher told the court.

"(The woman) felt as if she was trapped," he added.

McLachlan has also been accused of pushing his groin into the stomach area of another woman.

He also kissed the woman during a show, without being directed to do so, forcing his tongue into her mouth.

Craig McLachlan denies all the allegations
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Mr Fisher told the court the woman had allegedly said to McLachlan: "Don't you ever do that to me again."

McLachlan had allegedly replied: "Don't you dare speak to me like that. You are nothing, I will end you."

McLachlan's lawyer Stuart Littlemore will argue some of the alleged incidents did not occur, while others were not indecent.

He said when McLachlan had given a woman an unexpected kiss on stage, he had the "licence and discretion to ad lib".

The four alleged victims will give evidence about the allegations in a closed court.

After the women's allegations were published, McLachlan initiated defamation proceedings against Fairfax Media, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and a former co-star.

That case has been delayed until after the criminal charges are resolved.

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