Actor Craig McLachlan has faced court in Melbourne supported by his long-term partner as one charge was dropped in his indecent assault case.

In his Melbourne magistrates court appearance on Friday, McLachlan successfully applied to have his case fought in the summary jurisdiction rather than before a jury, meaning potentially lower penalties could apply.

It was the first time McLachan had appeared in court in person over the case, and he was supported by his partner, the opera conductor Vanessa Scammell.

When the case was called, McLachlan’s legal team applied to have it heard summarily, and prosecutors revealed one of the charges had been dropped.

The application was granted, meaning McLachlan’s contested hearing will be heard by a magistrate, rather than going to a higher court where greater penalties are available.

Prosecutors did not fight the application and said there would be 30 witnesses at the contested hearing.

“They are offences that are commonly dealt with in this jurisdiction,” magistrate Joanne Metcalfe said before granting the application. “There is clearly adequate sentencing capacity in this jurisdiction.”

McLachlan, of Sydney, appeared relaxed as he sat in the court in a navy suit and pink tie, at times holding hands with Scammell. The pair did not comment as they left the court.

McLachlan now faces seven counts of indecent assault, after one was dropped, along with one count of assault and one attempted indecent assault.

Court documents said his alleged offending, which is believed to stem from accusations made by acting colleagues, allegedly took place between late-April and mid-July in 2014 in Melbourne.

Around that time, McLachlan was starring in The Rocky Horror Show stage production in Melbourne, playing Dr Frank-N-Furter.

The actor became a household name for his roles on Australian soap operas Neighbours and Home and Away. He won a Gold Logie in 1990 and more recently he has led the Ballarat-filmed TV series Doctor Blake Mysteries.

Prosecutors did not read aloud a summary of the case on Friday, meaning further details of the case remain unknown to the public.

The police summary of the case was instead handed to Metcalfe, who retired to her office to read the allegations.

The case is due to return to court on 13 June, when McLachlan is not required to appear.