Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has called for a forensic expert to examine the phone of a woman he's accused of raping due to claimed discrepancies in prosecution evidence.
Share and Follow

Bruce Lehrmann, a former staffer for the Liberal party, is urging a forensic specialist to scrutinize the phone of a woman he allegedly raped, citing inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence.

Lehrmann, 30, has been committed to face trial in Queensland District Court on two counts of rape but has filed an application to permanently halt the matter.

Lehrmann’s lawyer, Zali Burrows, informed Judge Dennis Lynch that a second analysis of the complainant’s phone yielded a report that differed from the initial one.

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has called for a forensic expert to examine the phone of a woman he's accused of raping due to claimed discrepancies in prosecution evidence.
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has called for a forensic expert to examine the phone of a woman he’s accused of raping due to claimed discrepancies in prosecution evidence. (Dan Peled)

“There are some crucial words missing between the first and second phone data extractions that are noted in the statement of facts,” Burrows explained.

The court heard that a second data extraction was necessary after the original was lost due to a detective’s hard drive failure.

Currently on bail and yet to formally respond to the charges, Lehrmann is accused of raping the woman twice in the early hours of October 10, 2021.

They met during the previous night at a strip club in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

Lehrmann previously indicated he would contest the charges.

Burrows said she had applied before another judge to force police to provide an “unredacted” second report, but she had been told there was a problem with accessing the original encrypted data.

“If this data is lost all over again we would like to address it in our stay application,” she said.

“We would like our own, independent forensic IT expert to have an opportunity to do a brand-new extraction of the phone, which would obviously be monitored and supervised by police.”

A copy of the phone data would be obtained today and should be provided before the end of the week, prosecutor Caroline Marco said.

“Unfortunately the delay was that our investigating officer was on leave,” Marco said.

She said prosecutors would resist an application for an independent expert to download data from the alleged victim’s phone.

Judge Lynch said he would wait for the second report on the phone before considering any such application.

Lehrmann’s bail was continued and the case was adjourned until November 17.

Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Lockout laws 'abolished' as NSW government pushes to revive Sydney nightlife

NSW Government Revitalizes Sydney’s Nightlife with Abolition of Lockout Laws

The NSW government has removed the final major lockout laws that have…
'She was defenceless': Melbourne father-of-four pleads guilty to wife's murder

Justice for a Defenseless Mother: Melbourne Father Pleads Guilty to Heartbreaking Murder Case

A man has admitted to the brutal murder of his wife, whom…
Piper James, 19, had gone for an early-morning swim when her body was found surrounded by a pack of about 10 dingoes near Orchid Beach on Monday. 

Grieving Father Honors ‘Beloved Daughter’ After Tragic Dingo Attack

Todd James, her father, expressed the family’s deep sorrow and heartbreak following…
Why a homebuyer has been ordered to pay $1.1million - after making a very stupid mistake

Homebuyer Faces $1.1 Million Penalty for Costly Oversight: A Cautionary Tale

A New Zealand man has been ordered to pay over $1.1 million…
Call for cull after spate of shark attacks 'misinformed', expert says

Expert Deems Calls for Shark Cull After Recent Attacks as ‘Misinformed

The surge in shark attacks along the NSW coast has renewed controversial…
Trump says he 'won't use force' to take control of Greenland

Trump Clarifies Stance: No Plans to Forcefully Acquire Greenland

During a recent address at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, President…
The aurora australis on January 20 as captured by Byron Bay local Sarah Archibald.

Spectacular Night Sky Event Unfolds Across Australia

“Usually, this is a phenomenon that you’re lucky to see in the…
Two young girls, a one-year-old and a five-year-old, were killed after fire engulfed the Sydenham property, in Melbourne's north-west.

Authorities Seek Jail Time for Mother Charged in Children’s Manslaughter Case

Shania Lee, 27, allegedly left three children aged under five at home…