Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been committed to stand trial on two rape charges following two days of hearings into the reliability of the alleged victim’s evidence.
The second day of a committal hearing for Lehrmann’s charges, that he allegedly raped a woman twice on the early hours of October 10, 2021, was held at Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Defence barrister Andrew Hoare had argued Lehrmann should not face trial on the charges because the alleged victim was too intoxicated to remember giving consent.
“The test that needs to be satisfied is a low one in this case. It is said the threshold is not met in both of these (charges),” Mr Hoare said.
Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said there was a prima facie case to answer and any questions over the reliability of the alleged victim’s evidence should be considered by a jury.
After adjourning for a few minutes, Magistrate Mark Howden returned with a decision that a reasonable jury, properly instructed, could potentially find the allegations proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr Howden told Lehrmann, who attended remotely via phone, that he would stand trial on two counts of rape before the Toowoomba District Court at a date to be set by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“Not as this time, thank you, Your Honour,” Lehrmann said when asked if he wanted to say anything or enter a plea.
Lehrmann’s bail was continued.
– AAP