Bruce Lehrmann faces Hobart Court over alleged motor vehicle theft
The disgraced former political staffer seeks adjournment in the Hobart Magistrates Court over alleged Toyota Prado theft.
Beleaguered former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has fronted court in Hobart over a new charge of alleged motor vehicle theft.
Mr Lehrmann faced the Magistrates Court of Tasmania on Monday through a phone link over one count of motor vehicle stealing, for which he has yet to give a plea.
Through lawyer Zali Burrows he sought and was granted conditional bail provided he not approach two women — Gail Denise Oates, who is listed in a charge sheet as the complainant in the case, and a second woman.
He has been based in Tasmania since losing his high profile defamation bid against Channel Ten and former The Project host Lisa Wilkinson.
Mr Lehrmann was spotted by the Hobart Mercury walking through the Hobart CBD with Ms Burrows in October last year, and reportedly worked at a Tasmanian winery in January 2023.
He has also frequented the state’s world-class golf courses.
A police charge sheet alleges Mr Lehrmann stole a Toyota Prado in the small Huon Valley hamlet of Mountain River on November 20, 2024.
Ms Burrows told Magistrate Reg Marron an adjournment was needed “to allow an approach” to prosecutors “to have discussions” about the charges.
Mr Marron granted the adjournment and bail, on condition Mr Lehrmann did not contact either of the named women “by any means”.
The magistrate asked Mr Lehrmann whether he understood the condition, to which the defendant replied: “I do, your honour.”
Mr Lehrmann was contacted for comment.
The court initially failed to reach Mr Lehrmann on the phone, with Ms Burrows telling the court this was due to her client “getting media interest” and not wanting to answer calls from private numbers.
A second attempt a short while later was more successful. The matter will be listed again for June 19.
The fresh charge is the latest in a string of legal matters across four different states and territories. After a criminal trial against him for the alleged rape of Ms Higgins was terminated due to juror misconduct, he sued Ten and Wilkinson for defamation in the Federal Court.
In seeking to overturn the judgement, Mr Lehrmann argued his appeal was in the public interest and has so far been granted a stay on repaying Ten’s $2 million in legal costs.
Mr Lehrmann is also facing separate criminal rape charges in Toowoomba District Court. In January he requested a judge only trial for the matter. He has avoided public appearances at the case, for which he is yet to enter a plea. He is alleged to have twice raped a 29-year-old woman in October 2021.
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