Bruce Lehrmann is headed to trial in Toowoomba. What happens next?

Will he be required to stand trial in front of a jury? When will the matter be heard? All your questions, answered.

Bruce Lehrmann has been committed to stand trial for rape in Toowoomba.

Bruce Lehrmann will face trial for two charges of rape in Queensland, after his lawyers failed to have the matter thrown out, citing inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s evidence.

What happens next?

What is Bruce Lehrmann’s Toowoomba trial about?

The complainant, who legally cannot be identified, alleges she met Mr Lehrmann at a nightclub on a night out in Toowoomba in October 2021. He introduced himself as Bryce, and they began discussing their political views.

At the venue, she consumed alcohol and cocaine.

Around 4am the following morning, the pair went to the home of Mr Lehrmann’s school friends, where the two had consensual sex and took cocaine before falling asleep.

She alleges the following morning, she woke to Mr Lehrmann having penetrative sex with her without her consent and he was not wearing a condom like they had agreed to the night prior.

In her statement, the woman said she moved her body to remove him and told him to stop, noting she still felt drunk. She alleged he climbed back on top of her to continue having sex, repeating “It’s OK” and consoling her until he ejaculated inside her vagina.

Bruce Lehrmann pictured in Sydney earlier this year. Picture: Jonathan Ng

When will the matter go to trial?

The state Director of Public Prosecutions will set a date for Mr Lehrmann’s trial.

It is unknown when the date will be set.

Will Bruce Lehrmann remain on bail?

Mr Lehrmann’s bail was continued on Thursday.

He attended the Toowoomba Magistrates Court remotely via phone on Thursday.

Will Bruce Lehrmann have to give evidence?

No, he will not.

As this is a criminal matter, Mr Lehrmann will not be compelled to give evidence and can maintain his right to silence.

Will the complainant have to give evidence?

It is very likely she will.

As the complainant in the matter, she will likely be called as the key witness for the Crown.

After she gives evidence, the defence will be permitted to cross-examine her.

Who are the lawyers involved?

Mr Lehrmann was on Thursday represented by Andrew Hoare KC, who had argued Mr Lehrmann should not face trial because the complainant was too drunk to remember consenting.

Criminal barrister Andrew Hoare KC. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Mr Hoare also noted that the alleged victim did not tell her general practitioner about the alleged assault in four subsequent visits in which they discussed her mental health in relation to a WorkCover claim and personal matter. She had also requested a test for sexually transmitted diseases.

Mr Lehrmann is also being represented by solicitor Rowan King.

The Crown was represented by prosecutor Nicole Friedewald.

She argued it is was not uncommon for a sexual assault victim to not immediately tell friends or authorities.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“The fact that she did not disclose anything immediately, whether by ticking a certain box on a contraceptive checklist or by telling friends or acquaintances or general practitioners in the days after the offending, does not mean that it did not happen,” Ms Friedewald said.

Ms Friedewald said the woman told police in her initial complaint on November 26 that “she had not yet accepted or come to terms with what had happened to her”.