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Dan Wyllie not guilty of assault

Seachange actor is cleared of charges relating to a domestic incident last year.

Actor Dan Wyllie has been found not guilty of assault charges stemming from an incident in March 2020.

Wyllie, whose credits include Love My Way, Seachange and Puberty Blues was charged last August with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

But a magistrate cast doubts on evidence from Wyllie’s wife Shannon Murphy, who alleged a physical altercation took place in their Woollahra home.

Magistrate Greg Elks questioned Ms Murphy’s account, citing variations in her statements to police and evidence in court, photos of her injuries which he said did not support her account, and her delay in finalising her complaint to police.

He said photos did not show – and police did not observe the following day at Waverley police station – the significant and observable injuries that would be consistent with Ms Murphy’s accusations of a “sustained, vicious attack”.

He said photos tendered of Ms Murphy in the wake of the incident were inconsistent with the “sustained, vicious” attack she described in evidence.

“Clearly in the photographs there is not significant injury,” he said.

Mr Wyllie’s barrister, Peggy Dwyer, said he was acting in self defence.

Toni Collette was also called in as a character witness for her close friend Dan Wyllie.

“He is one of the best people I know. He is a good and decent person,” Ms Collette told the court, adding that Mr Wyllie had a “strong moral compass”.

Shannon Murphy has directed on On the Ropes, Killing Eve, Rake and Baby Teeth.

National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line 1800 737 732;
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491;
Lifeline 13 11 14.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au

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