Bruce Lehrmann, a former staff member of the Liberal party, is facing allegations of stealing a Toyota Prado in Mountain River, Tasmania, on November 20, 2024. Lehrmann, who is 30 years old, has denied these allegations and appeared remotely in Hobart Magistrates Court alongside his lawyer, Zali Burrows.
The upcoming court hearing is set to feature testimony from several key individuals, including the alleged victim, Gail Oates, her husband, and their son. Prosecutor Bunewat Keo indicated that five police officers who were part of the investigation would also provide evidence, alongside a friend of Lehrmann and a service station worker with relevant context about the incident. Additionally, CCTV footage and police body camera recordings will be presented as part of the evidence.
Burrows plans to subpoena a media interview with Oates, which reportedly presents a conflicting account of the incident compared to her police statements. This development raises questions about the consistency of her testimony. Furthermore, the defence has been provided with previously redacted statements, which mention another individual that Oates believed could be responsible for the theft.
The court hearing is expected to last four days, although a specific date has yet to be confirmed. Keo stated that aside from a bank statement and some maps, most evidence has been disclosed to the court, suggesting a thorough preparation for the hearing.
Lehrmann’s bail conditions remain in place, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 31. This case follows a tumultuous period in Lehrmann’s life, including a failed trial regarding an alleged rape of colleague Brittany Higgins in 2019, which was abandoned last year due to juror misconduct. Following that, Lehrmann appealed a Federal Court finding that concluded, on the balance of probabilities, that he had raped Higgins.
The outcome of the current allegations will be closely watched, given the high-profile nature of Lehrmann’s previous legal challenges and the ongoing public interest in these matters.