Bruce Lehrmann trial: Jury adjourns after judge says ‘there is no rush’ in verdict over alleged rape of Brittany Higgins

The jury deliberating on the guilt of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins has been adjourned for the fourth day.

Brittany Higgins, left, and Bruce Lehrmann. Picture: NCA Newswire

The jury deliberating on the guilt of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins has been adjourned for the fourth day.

ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucy McCallum thanked the jury for their hard work and reminded them of their responsibilities on Monday afternoon.

The jury began deliberating just before 3pm on Wednesday and on Monday morning asked if they had a time limit before they had to reach a decision.

Mr Lehrmann, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual intercourse without consent and recklessness towards whether Ms Higgins was consenting, watched the jury as they exited the courtroom.

He is accused of raping his former colleague in a ministerial office at Parliament House in 2019.

Earlier on Monday the jury had indicated they needed more time to reach their verdict, informing the judge they had not “yet reached an agreement of beyond reasonable doubt”.

“We ask the court to give us a little extra time to complete our deliberation,” a note from the jury read out loud by Justice McCallum said.

“Could you please advise on time expectation.”

Justice McCallum said she would tell the jury they “can take all the time they need”.

“There is no rush,” she said.

“They shouldn’t feel the pressure of the presence of people waiting for a verdict.”