Jury directed to ‘not guilty’ finding

Ballarat County Court Judge Paul Lacava yesterday directed the jury in the case against Gavan Disney to make a finding of not guilty on three indecent assault counts because of insufficient evidence.

But Disney still faces another 10 counts of indecent assault and two of rape.

The Hey Hey its Saturday co-creator has pleaded not guilty to all charges, charged of assaulting a teenager with whom he worked at Ballarat television station BTV6 almost 30 years ago.

Yesterday he took the stand, saying he could not understand why the man made the allegations against him.

“I don’t believe I gave (him) preferential treatment over anybody,” Mr Disney told the jury.

“I respected his talent.”

This week former Ballarat television presenter Frederick Fargher gave the court a detailed account of how Disney allegedly favoured the teen over other employees.

Disney will be cross-examined when he takes the witness stand on Monday.

Source: The Age, news.com.au