Neighbours star ‘sexually assaulted’ female actor on stage during sex scene, court hears
Soap star denies all allegations as prosecutor claims he ‘went beyond the role he was directed to perform’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Actor Craig McLachlan indecently assaulted a female co-star during a scene in a stage musical where he was meant to simulate a sex act, a court has heard.
Four women brought forward a series of allegations in Melbourne Magistrates Court against the former star of long-running Australian soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away, at a hearing expected to last three weeks.
Mr McLachlan, 54, is facing multiple charges, including counts of indecent assault, one of attempted indecent assault and others of assault, involving the four complainants who worked with him in a production of The Rocky Horror Show in 2014.
He denies the accusations by the four women.
Speaking about the allegations, prosecution lawyer Matt Fisher alleged Mr McLachlan “went beyond the role he was directed to perform”.
He said the actor 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.
Mr McLachlan allegedly kissed her more than 20 times and had once used his finger to trace the outline of the woman’s genitals, Mr Fisher told the court.
Mr Fisher said: “The woman felt as if she was trapped.”
The Australian actor has also been accused of pushing his groin into the stomach area of another woman.
He is also said to have kissed the woman during a show, without being directed to do so, and forced his tongue into her mouth.
Mr Fisher told the court the woman had allegedly said to Mr McLachlan: “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”
The soap star is reported to have replied: “Don’t you dare speak to me like that. You are nothing, I will end you.”
Mr McLachlan’s lawyer Stuart Littlemore will argue some of the alleged incidents did not occur, while others were not indecent.
He said that when Mr 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 incidents in a closed court.
After the women’s allegations were published, Mr 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.
Additional reporting by Press Association
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.