Lawyers for Bruce Lehrmann's rape case to argue over ‘unlawful' phone recordings in District Court hearing

News.com.au

3 days ago

Lawyers for former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann - who is facing two counts of rape - are due to argue whether a key piece of evidence obtained by Queensland Police was obtained unlawfully.
Mr Lehrmann, 30, is not expected to front Toowoomba District Court on Friday morning when the application is due to be heard and will instead be represented by his Sydney-based lawyer Zali Burrows.
The case has been in and out of court through the week ahead of what was planned to be a hearing for a permanent stay of proceedings on Friday.
But this was adjourned to August 28 after Ms Burrows requested more time to assess the evidence.
Mr Lehrmann is charged with two counts of rape, which police allege stem from an incident in Toowoomba – west of Brisbane – in October 2021.
He has not entered a plea but has previously indicated he will fight the charges.
Police allege Mr Lehrmann had sex with a woman twice without her consent during a night out in the Garden City.
During a committal hearing in June last year, the court was told the woman had been out drinking with friends and consumed cocaine before she went to a strip club, The Vault, in Toowoomba, where she met a man she claimed said his name was Bryce.
It will be alleged in court that Mr Lehrmann gave the woman a false name of 'Bryce' when the pair met before clarifying his name as 'Bruce'.
After leaving the club, the pair allegedly had consensual sex and consumed more cocaine.
It is alleged the woman lost consciousness and woke up to Mr Lehrmann having sex without her consent, and she urged him to stop.
The second charge against Mr Lehrmann alleges that moments later, he again had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent.
During a separate mention at Ipswich District Court in June, Ms Burrows lodged a fresh application requesting a permanent stay of proceedings, stemming from allegations that police unlawfully recorded phone calls with Mr Lehrmann's lawyers.
According to the defence, an officer failed to initially disclose six items, including four audio recordings of conversations between her and Mr Lehrmann's former legal representative, two recordings involving the alleged victim, and one with a witness.
Ms Burrows had previously sought the full disclosure of all material in the possession of Queensland Police in May.