Actor Craig McLachlan found not guilty of all 13 indecent and common law assault charges - 9News

Actor Craig McLachlan has been found not guilty of allegations he indecently assaulted four women during the Melbourne stage production of the Rocky Horror Show.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington acquitted the actor of all 13 indecent and common law assault charges in Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.

McLachlan watched the verdicts being handed down on a video link from a Sydney office, with his partner Vanessa Scammell in the room.

Vanessa Scammell gives partner Craig McLachlan a kiss in front of reporters. (Nine)

The actor, who starred as the leading man of the Rocky Horror Show, had earlier been charged with seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of assault against four female actors both and off stage, during the Melbourne run of the production in 2014.

McLachlan maintained his innocence throughout a contested hearing which began last year.

In a short statement outside his lawyer's office in Sydney, McLachlan thanked his "24-carat gold" legal team for the court win.

Craig McLachlan said he will have more to say in the New Year about the not guilty verdict. (Nine)

"We've maintained a dignified and a respectful silence for the past almost three years and put our trust in the law and here we are today," McLachlan said.

"I would likely to very quickly and publicly acknowledge Stuart Littlemore QC for his exceptional captaincy, his extraordinary energy and his humanity."

The magistrate told the court the four female complainants were "brave and honest witnesses" and did not consent to multiple incidents of inappropriate touching.

However, she said prosecutors did not meet the standard of proving the crimes had occurred.

Among the allegations were that McLachlan touched a woman near her genitals during a live show, ran his hand up the leg of a woman and other instances of kissing.

He told the court earlier this year pranks that went on behind-the-scenes of the production were sexual "in appearance" but "not in intent", with kissing between performers commonplace in the entertainment industry.

McLachlan said performers kissing each other, including on the lips, was not out of the ordinary.

"It's what we do. It's what we've always done," he said last month.

Craig McLachlan arriving at Melbourne Magistrates' Court in 2019. (Joe Armao)

Magistrate Wallington today hit out at McLachlan, describing him as an egotistical and self-entitled man who either thought the women were consenting to the inappropriate and lewd behaviour, or that they would think it was funny.

The magistrate also took aim at McLachlan's defence lawyer Mr Littlemore for his line of questioning towards the complainants and what she said was a victim-blaming attitude towards the women.

McLachlan said he would speak in more detail about the verdict in the New Year.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMihAFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvYWN0b3ItY3JhaWctbWNsYWNobGFuLWZvdW5kLW5vdC1ndWlsdHktb2YtYWxsLWFzc2F1bHQtY2hhcmdlcy9hODc0MzJkOS1mNWQzLTQzMzYtYTBjMi1iMTViYmE4NjI2NDbSAUVodHRwczovL2FtcC45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS9hODc0MzJkOS1mNWQzLTQzMzYtYTBjMi1iMTViYmE4NjI2NDY?oc=5

2020-12-15 01:25:00Z
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