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<docID>338923</docID>
<postdate>2025-02-24 11:36:13</postdate>
<headline>Bruce Lehrmann accused of stealing four-wheel drive</headline>
<body><p><img class=" wp-image-338924" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20240617121036602669-original-1.jpg" alt="" width="1047" height="698" /></p>
<caption>Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann is accused of stealing a vehicle in a rural area of Tasmania. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)</caption>
<p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">ByÂ <b>Ethan James</b>Â in Hobart</span></p>
<p><strong>Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who was found by a Federal Court to have raped one-time colleague Brittany Higgins, has been accused of stealing a car.</strong></p>
<p>Lehrmann appeared by phone in Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday morning, with the matter adjourned without plea.</p>
<p>It is alleged the 29-year-old stole a Toyota Prado from Mountain River, a rural area southwest of Hobart, on November 20.</p>
<p>Lehrmann's lawyer Zali Burrows, who also appeared by phone, requested an adjournment so she could make representations on the charge.</p>
<p>Lehrmann, who the court was unable to initially contact by phone, will re-appear on June 19.</p>
<p>According to court documents, the charge of motor vehicle stealing was brought against Lehrmann by Gail Denise Oates.</p>
<p>Lehrmann's trial for allegedly raping Ms Higgins in 2019 Canberra's parliament house was abandoned in October 2022 because of juror misconduct.</p>
<p>A retrial did not occurred because of concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health.</p>
<p>Lehrmann, who has maintained his innocence, sued media outlets for defamation in civil action in the Federal Court, which ultimately found he had raped Ms Higgins.</p>
<p>He is appealing the Federal Court decision.</p>
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