Craig McLachlan defamation trial not before April 2022

Craig McLachlan’s defamation trial is not expected until April 2022 in the NSW Supreme Court.

Expected to take place over 4 weeks with a jury, it will be over 4 years after allegations against the actor first surfaced.

McLachlan is suing the ABC, Nine (formerly Fairfax newspapers) and actor Christie Whelan Browne following reports he allegedly acted inappropriately during a stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 2014.

The former Doctor Blake Mysteries star has always denied the claims. He was cleared of indecent assault and common law assault charges in late 2020.

His defamation case was mentioned briefly on Friday when Justice John Sackar said the hearing would not proceed this year, given it was a jury trial estimated to last four weeks. McLachlan’s lawyers did not oppose proposed defence amendments save for particulars related to a new person.

The judge adjourned the case to October 22 when the hearing date will be set and the defence issue determined.

Source: New Daily