Famed Aussie actor John Jarratt has been committed to stand trial on a charge of rape dating back to 1976.
According to the ABC, the 66-year-old film star — well known for his lead role in hit movie Wolf Creek — will appear in the NSW District Court next year in what his lawyer insisted would be a “short, sharp” trial. He was committed to stand trial after appearing before a magistrate on Thursday.
Allegations against the former Better Homes and Gardens presenter first came to light in August, with Jarratt forced to defend himself against claims that he raped a teenager in the ‘70s. It was alleged at the time that he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman at a house in Randwick, when he was 24 years old himself.
He has denied all the allegations against him and has since pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Jarratt has been married four times and is currently in a relationship with Rosa Jarratt – also his first wife. He has six children.
He was previously married to actress Noni Hazlehurst and appeared alongside her on Better Homes and Gardens in the mid-late 1990s. He left the show when they divorced.
The actor originally made his screen debut on The Great Macarthy in 1975. The same year he appeared in Picnic at Hanging Rock. In recent times he’s appeared in a number of TV shows and movies including Wolf Creek and McLeod’s Daughters.