McLachlan Cleared Of Assault
A Melbourne Magistrate has cleared actor Craig McLachlan of 13 assault and indecent assault charges relating to his behaviour during the Melbourne season of The Rocky Horror Show.
According to ABC news Magistrate Belinda Wallington described the four women complainants as “brave and honest witnesses.”
"I was not persuaded that there was evidence of collusion between the complainants. I was not persuaded that there was evidence of motive or that the complaints were made for reasons for career ambition or for any other such reason."
During one of the alleged incidents, Magistrate Wallington said Mr McLachlan was accused of inappropriately tickling the inner-thigh of a woman on stage, known as CC.
"I'm unable to exclude the possibility that an egotistical, self-entitled sense of humour led the accused to genuinely think that … CC was consenting to his actions," she said.
Magistrate Wallington said the "result may have been different" if current consent laws were applied in this case.
"The law requires me to apply the law as it stood at the time of the alleged offending," she said.
She said that required her to "apply a subjective test as to the accused's belief as to whether a complainant consented to sexual touching".
But Magistrate Wallington said consent laws had changed since the time of the alleged assaults.
"The law on consent has been replaced with a more objective test: Was the accused's belief reasonable?" she explained.
"Were the current law applicable, it is possible the result may have been different."
Speaking in Sydney after the verdict was handed down, an emotional Mr McLachlan said he and his partner Vanessa Scammell would have more to say in the new year.
"As you can imagine, we have a lot to say," he said.
"We've maintained a dignified and respectful silence for the past almost three years and put our trust in the law.”
A number of media outlets have been sued for defamation by McLachlan. Those cases will now proceed in the new year.
Stage Whispers TV on the set of The Rocky Horror Show.