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The individual who sexually assaulted Grace Tame, a former recipient of the Australian of the Year award, is set to undergo a hearing to determine his competency to face harassment charges.
In March 2023, Nicolaas Ockert Bester denied three charges of using a communication service to intimidate, harass, or offend.
Authorities allege that Bester, a former educator, posted messages on social media targeting Tame, now aged 30, in the months of April, July, and August of 2022.
Today, Bester, 73, was absent from a brief session at Hobart Magistrates Court regarding the case.
Magistrate Andrew McKee has scheduled the hearing for February 2.
It is expected to run for a full day.
Bester’s lawyer Todd Kovacic confirmed to AAP the hearing was about his client’s fitness to face the substantive allegations and will determine “what happens next” in the matter.
Kovacic, who appeared in court by telephone, said it was the plan for Bester to appear in person for February’s hearing.
An application for a professor to give evidence via video link at the hearing was granted.
The case against Bester has been plagued by delays since he was charged in 2022.
Kovacic has previously told the court Bester had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and his fitness to face a hearing was a live issue.
Bester was convicted and sentenced in 2011 to two years and 10 months in jail for abusing Tame when she was a student at his school and for possessing child exploitation material.
He served one year and nine months.
Tame, who has attended court on previous occasions, was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for abuse survivors.
Help is available from the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.