‘Frustrating’: Renee Ferguson’s case stalls again

The woman involved in the Tim Paine sexting scandal has had her court case adjourned yet again for unrelated stealing charges against her former employer Cricket Australia.

The woman involved in the Tim Paine sexting scandal has had her court case adjourned yet again for unrelated stealing charges against her former employer Cricket Australia.

Renee Ferguson fronted the Hobart Magistrates Court via Zoom on Thursday, five years after the initial stealing allegations were made against her.

Ferguson’s case was due for contest mention and sentence indication, however the defence asked for an adjournment to review disclosure documents.

Ferguson’s new lawyer Todd Kovacic only received the documents on Wednesday, which were previously given to her previous defence counsel Greg Barns.

A previous court appearance was adjourned when documents were locked in Mr Barns’ office while he was away in Melbourne.

The prosecution said the defence “don’t seem to have their head around it”, and that the documents were unchanged since they were supplied several years ago.

Magistrate Michael Daly said this was a “frustrating” delay.

Renee Ferguson at Hobart Magistrates Court in relation to case with Cricket Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It seems as though nothing’s moving. Mr Kovacic hasn’t got disclosure until yesterday, and I don’t know why that happened,” Magistrate Daly said.

“The prosecution hasn’t done anything since the matter’s been back on in preparation for trial.”

Mr Kovacic did not appear in person citing an illness, which Magistrate Daly described as a good excuse.

He said the prosecution would need to speak with Mr Kovacic and revisit all of the same points covered with Mr Barnes.

Renee Ferguson has previously pleaded not guilty to allegations that she fraudulently took $5600 from Cricket Australia in 2017.

The former Cricket Australia receptionist is alleged to have taken a $705 Cricket Tasmania junior and platinum membership, a $339 Hobart Hurricanes family membership, and stolen $1942 in cash during 2017.

Ms Ferguson is suing her former employer over allegations she was sexually harassed by four former colleagues, including the former cricket captain Tim Paine.

The case was adjourned to October 26, 10am for a mention.