EXCLUSIVE: The high-profile criminal case against alleged Parliament House rapist, Bruce Lehrmann, has commenced in the ACT Magistrates Court with the former Liberal Party hotshot pleading not guilty. Serkan Ozturk reports.
26-year-old former Liberal Party “rising star”, Bruce Lehrmann, has pleaded not guilty over the alleged rape of one-time Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins.
Ms Higgins has previously chosen to publicly identify herself as the survivor of the alleged rape attack.
The case was heard as a brief mention in the ACT Magistrates Court on the morning of Thursday, September 16.
Due to the current Covid Crisis and associated lockdowns, the matter was heard via remote link.
ACT Police allege Lehrmann committed rape by having sexual intercourse without consent in the early hours of Saturday, March 23, 2019 inside Parliament House, in the office of then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.
It has been previously alleged that a two-year-long cover-up of the alleged incident then took place with the knowledge of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The alleged rape occurred in the lead-up to the 2019 federal election which Morrison was desperate not to lose.
ACT Police had initially been notified of the alleged rape in April 2019.
Lehrmann did not appear during the mention but was represented by his lawyer, barrister John Korn from Ada Evans Chambers. Lehrmann had been charged over the alleged rape one month ago, in early August.
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Mr Korn successfully sought a four week adjournment for briefs to be served on all parties.
The mention of Lehrmann’s case in front of Magistrate Beth Campbell commenced with technical difficulties with his lawyer based in Sydney and having trouble connecting to the court’s live video and audio feed.
Although Lehrmann was last heard holed up in a private mental health ward at a Sydney hospital, it was admitted in court today the alleged rapist is currently residing in Queensland.
Lehrmann will be forced to appear via remote link at his next court hearing in four weeks time on Thursday, October 14.
He is facing a maximum penalty of 12 years imprisonment.
It has previously been reported Mr Lehrmann was quite well connected within the Liberal Party and being groomed for a major role in politics.
True Crime News Weekly was the first media outlet to publicly identify Lehrmann as the prime suspect back in mid-February, seven months ago.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, relationship or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT. org.au
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Blue Knot Foundation – 02 8920 3611
Who is paying for Bruce Lehrmann’s legal fees in regards to this rape case I hope its not us tax payers.
We’ll never be told the truth anyway
He’s LNp and Pentecostal so his costs will be covered, they probably have a ‘blind trust’ set up for it.
It won’t come out of his pocket