Bruce Lehrmann (right) leaves the Magistrates Court in Toowoomba, Queensland, June 17, 2024. Mr Lehrmann is charged with two counts of rape. Picture: Dan Peled
Share and Follow

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to stealing a four-wheel drive after his lawyer raised contempt of court concerns about a media interview.

It is alleged Lehrmann took a Toyota Prado from Mountain River, a rural area in southern Tasmania, on November 20.

Lehrmann has been the subject of various court matters across Australia in recent years.

Bruce Lehrmann (right) leaves the Magistrates Court in Toowoomba, Queensland, June 17, 2024. Mr Lehrmann is charged with two counts of rape. Picture: Dan Peled
Lehrmann has been the subject of various court matters across Australia in recent years. (Dan Peled)

His trial for allegedly raping then-colleague Brittany Higgins at Canberra’s parliament house in 2019 was abandoned in 2022 because of juror misconduct.

Lehrmann and his lawyer Zali Burrows appeared today in Hobart Magistrates Court via phone.

According to court documents, the charge of motor vehicle stealing was brought against Lehrmann by Gail Denise Oates.

Burrows told the court she was considering applying for a stay of proceedings because Oates had allegedly committed sub-judice contempt of court by doing a media interview that presented a different account of events to her official statement.

She also had “concern” over a police statement made by Oates in which the name of the person accused of stealing the car had been redacted.

“Police have unfairly redacted the statement. I don’t know why this is such a national secret,” Burrows said.

Bruce Lehrmann outside court.
His trial for allegedly raping then-colleague Brittany Higgins at Canberra’s parliament house in 2019 was abandoned in 2022 because of juror misconduct. (Dan Peled)

Prosecutor Bunewat Keo noted Oates had made no further contact with media and Burrows had been provided with all the case-file information.

Magistrate Reg Marron said the entering of a plea would trigger the release of more information to Burrows and the redaction could be discussed at a later date.

The matter was “one way or another” going to a hearing, he said.

Burrows said Lehrmann was happy to enter a plea of not guilty, so the matter wasn’t delayed.

A hearing would likely take three days, the court was told.

Lehrmann’s bail was continued, with the matter to next come before the court on September 19.

Lehrmann didn’t answer the first phone call from the court, prompting a rebuke from Marron, who said Burrows should “make sure he is on the line”.

“We have a room full of people ready to go,” he said.

Lehrmann has appealed a Federal Court finding that determined on the balance of probabilities he raped Higgins.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Albanese Condemns Greens Leader’s Remarks on Manchester Attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called Larissa Waters’ interview comments on a…
England's bombshell statement as they vow to ban players from international rugby if they join Mike Tindall's rebel league R360

England’s Shocking Announcement: Players Face Ban from International Rugby if They Join Mike Tindall’s Rebel League R360

England and other leading rugby unions around the world have told their…
Decades-old outback triple-murder mystery back in the spotlight

Outback Triple-Murder Mystery from Decades Ago Gains Renewed Attention

The unsolved murders of three friends on an outback adventure almost five…
Surfer twice bitten by shark chasing seal off Kangaroo Island

Surfer Attacked Twice by Shark While Following Seal Near Kangaroo Island

A surfer who survived a shark attack off South Australia’s Kangaroo Island…
A shattered window in Sydney's inner-west after an alleged shooting

Video Captures Gunfire Erupting on a Street in Sydney’s Inner West

Security footage shows the moments 60-year-old father Artemios Mintzas allegedly opened fire…
Media personality and prominent Greens supporter Abbie Chatfield has been accused of unleashing abuse and hatred on a former close friend over views on Israel's war in Gaza.

TV Star and Podcaster Faces Allegations of Abusing and Spewing Hatred Towards Ex-Friend

Media personality and prominent Greens supporter Abbie Chatfield has been accused of…

Two Years Since October 7: Growing Concerns in Gaza Over the Rise of Armed Gangs

The first near-impossible challenge faced by Palestinians in Gaza is obtaining food.…
The first supermoon of 2025 will light up Australian skies tonight

Australia to Witness 2025’s First Supermoon Tonight

The very first supermoon of 2025 is expected to cast its celestial…