Lawyers for former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann are set to make a 'no case to answer' application over multiple counts of rape following a committal hearing in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Toowoomba

Bruce Lehrmann, a former Liberal Party staffer, appeared at Toowoomba Courthouse in his hometown to face multiple counts of rape. Lehrmann, who was met by a large media presence, made a comment referring to Peter Costello as he entered the courthouse. This is the first time Lehrmann has appeared on these charges.

The 29-year-old is accused of raping a woman twice in Toowoomba in 2021 and was charged the following year. The case was first mentioned in court in 2023, at which time Queensland law prevented revealing Lehrmann’s identity, requiring him to be referred to as a "high-profile mystery man."

The court session was closed to the media as the alleged victim provided her evidence, speaking from a different room via video link with special measures to ensure Lehrmann was not in her line of sight. The magistrate has adjourned the committal hearing to a later date, where it will be determined if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Lehrmann is not required to appear in person at the next court session.



Bruce Lehrmann seeks to have rape charges dismissed

Well Bruce Lerman was met by a large media pack when he arrived here at Toowoomba Courthouse in his former hometown earlier this morning. It's the first time he's appeared here on rape charges. As he walked into court he made a comment to us asking where's Peter Costello in an apparent reference to get reporters to move out of the way. The 29 year old is accused of raping a woman twice in Toowoomba in 2021. He was charged the following year with the matter first mentioned in court in 2023. Back then under Queensland law we couldn't name him only ever referring to the former political staffer as a high-profile mystery man. Today the court was closed to media for Bruce Lerman's alleged victim to give her evidence. Special witness measures were put in place to protect the woman allowing her to speak from a different room via video link and ensure that Bruce Lerman was not in her eyeline. This afternoon the magistrate adjourned the committal to July 4th where it will ultimately be decided if there is enough evidence to go to trial. Mr. Lerman doesn't have to appear in person when the matter returns to court next month.

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