Tasmanian Police expected to apply for arrest warrant for Bruce Lehrmann

Police are expected to apply for a warrant for Bruce Lehrmann’s arrest after he failed to appear in a Tasmanian court on Thursday.

Mr Lehrmann is charged over an alleged vehicle theft last year, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Police allege that on about November 20, 2024, Mr Lehrmann took a Toyota Prado belonging to Gail Denise Oates.

On Thursday, Mr Lehrmann was called by court security but was not present.

Magistrate Robert Webster’s clerk then phoned his Sydney-based lawyer, Zali Burrows, on two different phone numbers, but she didn’t answer.

Police prosecutor Bunewat Keo told Mr Webster he was “ready to proceed in regards to a contest mention”.

A contest mention is a Tasmanian court process where evidence can be tested prior to a proper hearing.

Mr Keo told the court police had disclosed their primary case to Ms Burrows.

He said additional evidence had also been added to the file after Ms Burrows requested it.

Mr Webster then said: “It seems to me she (Ms Burrows) doesn’t understand this court at all.”

“I was going to tell her to read the contest mention guidelines on the website of the court.”

He said emails from Ms Burrows indicated she thought the matter was listed for a hearing – not a preliminary proceeding.

“She seems to have completely misunderstood the purpose of today,” he said.

Mr Keo said that given Mr Lehrmann’s non-appearance, he saw little option but to apply for a warrant to be issued for his arrest.

Mr Webster said he would stand the matter in the list, likely meaning the court would try to phone Ms Burrows again later.