Judge rules against new evidence in Craig McLachlan trial

Actor Craig McLachlan has had a small victory ahead of his Defamation trial next February after a NSW Supreme Court judge ruled three women who came forward with new complaints would not be allowed to give evidence.

Last month, during a pre-trial hearing lawyers applied to amend their case to add ‘contextual truth evidence’ from actresses Anna Samson, Tamzen Hayes and Cate Wolfe, who worked on ABC’s Doctor Blake Mysteries between 2013 and 2015. The claims were separate to those surrounding the Rocky Horror stage production which formed the basis of allegations published by Fairfax Media and ABC earlier this year.

But yesterday Justice Lucy McCallum ruled in favour of McLachlan denying their evidence to go to trial. She told the court she will deliver reasons at a later date.

Two other ‘contextual truth witnesses’ were also ruled out.

Justice McCallum did allow evidence from witness Teagan Wouters, who was part of Rocky Horror, but the court has not yet heard what her allegations entail.

McLachlan is seeking $6.5 million in special damages, with the trial due to begin on February 4.

Source: ABC