Former Liberal Staffer Bruce Lehrmann Committed to Stand Trial on Rape Charges in Toowoomba

Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been committed to stand trial on two counts of rape in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane. Magistrate Mark Howden ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Lehrmann faced allegations of rape, said to have occurred in October 2021. The 29-year-old, who has not entered a plea but previously indicated he would plead not guilty, will face trial in the District Court.

Details of the case emerged today in court as Lehrmann’s defense lawyer, Andrew Hoare KC, argued there was not enough evidence to warrant a trial. The allegations stem from an incident involving Lehrmann and a woman who met at the Vault nightclub in Toowoomba. The woman alleges that after a night of drinking and drug use, she was raped by Lehrmann at a residence in East Toowoomba. The complainant claims she had initially engaged in consensual sex with Lehrmann before the alleged rape took place.

During the proceedings, the court heard that the complainant initially did not disclose the alleged assault to friends or authorities. It was only after several weeks that she reported the incident to the police. The defense highlighted inconsistencies in the timeline of events and the complainant’s actions following the alleged rape. However, the prosecution argued that delayed reporting of sexual assault is not uncommon and does not invalidate the allegations.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald emphasized the importance of considering the context in which the complainant’s statements were made. She pointed out text messages sent by the complainant expressing shame and uncertainty about reporting the incident. The court was presented with details of the complainant’s interactions following the alleged rape, including seeking medical assistance and discussing the incident with friends.

Lehrmann, who appeared in court via telephone, declined to respond to the charges at this stage. The trial is set to take place in the Toowoomba District Court at a date yet to be determined. The decision to commit Lehrmann to stand trial marks a significant development in the case, which has garnered attention due to his previous association with the Liberal Party and the broader discussions around sexual assault allegations.