Lawyer for actor, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 1976, says ‘no discount could change his plea’ of not guilty

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Australian actor and director John Jarratt has appeared in court for the first time on a rape charge as his lawyer reiterated he will be defending the charge.

The Wolf Creek actor, who appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Tuesday, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Randwick, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, in September 1976.

“Nothing less than a not guilty verdict will satisfy him,” lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court. “No discount could change his plea.”

John Jarratt: Wolf Creek actor to plead not guilty to raping woman in Sydney Read more

Jarratt would be eligible for a 25% sentence discount were he to plead guilty in the local court and a small discount for a guilty plea in the district court before trial.

Wrench acknowledged the court had to formally advise his client of sentencing discounts for early guilty pleas.

The alleged victim of Jarratt, now 66, came forward in December 2017. The actor was charged with one count of rape in August.

At a hearing earlier in October, Wrench told the court he wanted to take the “express lane” to trial and that delays were affecting his client.

The director, actor and producer is best known for a lead role in the movie Wolf Creek and its sequel and appearances on TV shows McLeod’s Daughters and Play School.

Jarratt is now due to be available for a confidential case conference on 26 November.

He is then expected to formally enter a plea when his case returns to the Downing Centre local court for a committal hearing on 29 November.