Craig McLachlan seeks to expedite trial

Lawyers for Craig McLachlan are seeking to expedite a trial over indecent assault charges levelled against him.

Lawyers told the Melbourne Magistrates Court today they intend to forgo a committal hearing, which would test whether there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

Barrister Stuart Littlemore QC told Magistrate Andrew Capell, “My current thinking is to go straight to trial with a hand up brief.

“Because we want to expedite this as much as we possibly can.”

McLachlan, 53, was not required to appear for the first hearing today but will be required to attend on April 5.

Magistrate Capell ordered the charge sheets be redacted and refused to release the number of complainants in the case.

“The only purpose in seeking that would be to prejudice Mr McLachlan, so you won’t be getting that,” he told reporters.

The prosecutor also said particulars of the charges may identify the complainants.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries star is also suing Fairfax, the ABC and former co-star Christie Whelan Browne for defamation, seeking $6.5m in special damages but a civil trial has been postponed until the criminal proceedings are finalised.

He has denied all allegations.

Source: The Australian, ABC