Content Warning: This article discusses sexual harassment, rape, depression and suicide. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Explosive court documents have revealed that three more actresses have accused Australian actor and former Home and Away and Neighbours star Craig McLachlan of sexually harassment on the set of The Doctor Blake Mysteries TV series and during the hit musical, The Rocky Horror Show.
At the height of his career, McLachlan won a Gold Logie in 1990 for his role in Neighbours and the same year he recorded a debut album with his band, ‘Check 1–2’ which went on to gain a No. 2 in the UK and No. 3 in Australia.
In 2018 Victoria police charged McLachlan with seven counts of indecent assault and six counts of common law assault against four women on the set of The Rocky Horror Show in 2014. However, McLachlan was later acquitted on all charges after a hearing in December last year. Following his acquittal, McLaughlan sued the press for defamation, a case that is yet to be heard.
The new allegations have come to light in a document that was released to the ABC this week by the NSW Supreme Court. The document includes new claims by actresses Tamzen Hayes and Anna Samson, who played opposite McLachlan in The Doctor Blake Mysteries, and Teagan Wouters, who played Janet in The Rocky Horror Show.
The papers also allege that McLachlan bullied and intimidated actor Tim Maddren, who played the role of Brad in The Rocky Horror Show.
The fresh allegations claim that McLachlan whispered to a woman that she was attractive while she was playing a dead body on The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
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The documents also claim that McLachlan is accused of holding a banana at his crotch level and thrusting it into the face of an actress; and “dry humping” a female camera assistant “like a dog would hump a leg”, while she was trying to use a clapper to start a scene.
The news comes the day before the 7NEWS special Spotlight: Craig McLachlan is set to air at 7pm this Sunday. Previews to the news special reveal that McLaughlin tried to take his life after the assault charges were pressed. The actor said that he was admitted to a mental health facility after a suicide attempt.
“Really at that point, all you can think about is Nessie is going to be better off without me. My family will be better off without me,” McLachlan told 7 News.
“I’m not afraid to talk about this because I’m hoping it will help people who have been in similar situations.
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