Lehrmann must face charges of rape in court

Former parliamentary staffer Bruce Lehrmann is expected to appear before the Toowoomba Local Court for a preliminary investigation after being charged with two counts of rape of a woman in 2021.

Police allege that the 29-year-old raped a woman twice in October 2021 while in his hometown.

He has not yet admitted his guilty plea, but has indicated that he will defend himself against the charges.

Mr Lehrmann was previously excused from attending the court hearing, but must appear for a preliminary examination on Monday.

His lawyer, Patrick Wilson, is expected to cross-examine witnesses in the case against his client during the half-day hearing.

After he was charged with these crimes in 2021, Mr Lehrmann was known only as a “prominent man” in media reports about the allegations.

However, his identity was revealed after Queensland legislation was changed to allow people accused of sexual offences to be identified before they are brought to court.

After the law was changed, the former political employee failed in his subsequent attempt to obtain an injunction to protect his identity.