Bruce Lehrmann faces Toowoomba Magistrates Court for committal hearing over rape charges

A rape charge hearing against former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been adjourned, with his defence set to argue he has no case to answer.

Lehrmann attended Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday for the first time since being charged with rape more than a year ago.

The committal hearing at Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, is part of a long-running process to determine if the matter will go to trial.

Testimony from the alleged victim was heard in a closed court before Magistrate Mark Howden ordered the committal be adjourned until July 4.

Defence Barrister Andrew Hoare handed over a 12-page written submission from Lehrmann, saying he would present oral arguments for a no-case submission next month.

“As foreshadowed, they are submissions in respect to the sufficiency of the evidence to place my client on trial,” Hoare said.

Howden continued Lehrmann’s bail and allowed him to appear via video link next month.

Lehrmann, 29, had travelled from interstate to attend the hearing and crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald did not oppose not having to appear in person next month.

Friedewald said the prosecution’s case was complete after submitting a new statement from the alleged victim.

Howden had earlier denied an application for journalists to remain in the courtroom while the alleged victim gave evidence, saying it would be prejudicial against Lehrmann.

“I acknowledge the public interest, however, the matter ought to proceed in the ordinary way,” he said.

Lehrmann was first charged in January 2023 but had not attended court for the matter until Monday. He was mobbed by the media when he arrived.

“Where is Peter Costello when you need him?” he said, apparently in reference to the former Nine Entertainment chairman allegedly pushing over a journalist.

Lehrmann faces two counts of raping a woman at Toowoomba in October 2021, which his lawyers have said he denies.

Friedewald handed up a list of exhibits and witnesses including a police detective and multiple officers.

A barrister for media organisations applied for journalists to remain in the courtroom while the alleged victim testified remotely, arguing the high public interest in the case justified media remaining to ensure fair and accurate reporting.

It was opposed by Hoare, the crown prosecutor and the alleged victim.

Howden denied the application and ordered the packed courtroom’s public gallery be cleared.

Defence lawyers had mounted a weeks-long legal effort to maintain Lehrmann’s anonymity after Queensland changed its laws in October 2023 to no longer ban the publication of the names of people charged with certain sex offences prior to facing trial.

Lehrmann was able to be identified after being denied an ongoing non-publication of his name by the Queensland Supreme Court.

- with Warren Barnsley