Bruce Lehrmann is on trial for two counts of rape

Bruce Lehrmann was tried on two counts of rape.

Lehrmann, 29, is accused of raping a woman twice after a night-time party in Toowoomba, Queensland, in October 2021.

On Thursday morning, Judge Marc Howden ruled there was enough evidence to allow the case to be decided by a jury or a judge alone. The plaintiff has already testified and was cross-examined in court last month.

Lehrmann’s legal team had told the court that he was not to stand trial because the plaintiff was too drunk to remember his consent. Defence lawyer Andrew Hoare argued that Lehrmann should not be put on trial.

Prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said the plaintiff’s evidence could meet the standard “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Judge Howden rejected the argument of Lehrmann’s legal team, ruling that a reasonable jury might find the allegations proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Lehrmann participated in the hearing by telephone on Thursday. He did not enter a plea at the time, but his lawyers have previously indicated that he would plead not guilty.

When asked whether he wanted to comment on the allegations, Lehrmann said in court: “Not at the moment, thank you, Your Honor.”

Lehrmann’s release on bail was extended on Thursday morning.

The trial will now take place in a district court in Toowoomba. A date has not yet been set.

At the beginning of the year, Lehrmann lost the defamation case he had brought. Network Tenbecause of the television interview in which allegations were broadcast that he raped his Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in March 2019.

Judge Michael Lee concluded that Lehrmann raped Higgins “on a preponderance of probabilities.”

Lehrmann appealed and was later ordered to pay $2 million in legal costs.

If you need help or the details above cause problems for you, please call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800 737 732.

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14. Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636.

1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732.

MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.