Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann enters plea on car theft charge

‘I know you’re in a different jurisdiction, you may as well be on a different planet’: Lawyers battle it out over former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s vehicle stealing charges in Hobart. The latest.

Bruce Lehrmann and solicitor Zali Burrows in Hobart. Picture: Elise Kaine

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of stealing a car allegedly from a Huon Valley home.

Bruce Emery Lehrmann, 30, faces one count of motor vehicle stealing.

Court documents reveal the charge was brought by complainant Gail Denise Oates in relation to a silver Toyota Prado allegedly taken on November 20 last year at a Mountain River property in the Huon Valley.

Both Mr Lehrmann and his lawyer Zali Burrows appeared by phone in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday.

However, Mr Lehrmann missed the first call from the court associate, earning a scolding from Magistrate Reg Marron.

“We have a room full of people here ready to go Ms Burrows, your client needs to be ready to go as well,” he said.

Bruce Lehrmann and solicitor Zali Burrows in Hobart. Picture: Elise Kaine

On the second call, Mr Lehrmann answered.

Ms Burrows apologised for Mr Lehrmann’s initial phone call missed, but stated on her second appearance that her present concern was the redaction from a police statement by Ms Oates of the person she believed stole her car.

She also said a media interview provided by Ms Oates qualified as contempt of court.

“We want to put an application for Ms Oates of sub judice contempt as well as to put in an application for Ms Oates to reveal the name of the person who stole the car,” Ms Burrows said.

Prosecutor Bunewat Keo said there had been no further contact with the media by Ms Oates since an initial interview and that an order for contempt would be “strongly opposed”.

“The matters before you know are all for plea, Your Honour,” he said.

The car Bruce Lehrmann allegedly stole.

“Everything currently on my file has been disclosed to Ms Burrows. All of this has been done pre a plea being entered. I form the view a plea should be entered.”

Mr Keo said a plea would also trigger police to release the full discovery of evidence for Ms Burrows to access.

Yet, Ms Burrows said the police had “unfairly redacted statements”.

“We don’t know why things are such a national secret,” she said.

Magistrate Marron backed Mr Keo’s claims, stating a plea was required to trigger that release of evidence.

“I know you’re in a different jurisdiction, you may as well be on a different planet,” he said.

“I can tell you this that I’ve never held a view that a person who has entered a plea of not guilty and then changed to guilty has been prejudiced.

“If you enter a plea of not guilty, that will trigger the release of all documents.

“Right now, we need to know what direction you’re going.”

Ms Burrows then said Mr Lehrmann had indicated he would enter a plea of not guilty to prevent delay in the proceedings.

Magistrate Marron declined a request by Mr Keo for an order for Mr Lehrmann to appear in person at the next hearing.

Mr Lehrmann was bailed to appear by phone for the next hearing on September 19.

Mr Lehrmann last appeared in court via phone in February this year where Ms Burrows also asked for an adjournment on his behalf.

Lehrmann has been living in Tasmania since his defamation trial in Sydney’s Federal Court collapsed last year.

He is appealing that outcome.

Originally published as Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann enters plea on car theft charge