Rape charge against Brittany Higgins’ accused attacker ‘to be DROPPED and his retrial scrapped’ – as new medical evidence emerges in the case that’s gripped Australia
- The charge against Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann is set to be dropped
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The sexual assault charge against former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann is set to be dropped by police with an official announcement due on Friday at 10am.
His former colleague Brittany Higgins claims he raped her inside their former boss Linda Reynolds’ office in Parliament House after a night out in March 2019 – allegations which Mr Lehrmann has always denied.
The first trial spectacularly collapsed after a member of the jury was found to have brought in prohibited reading material, namely an academic study about false rape allegations, into the courtroom – despite being warned more than a dozen times by the judge.
With a second trial having been expected to start next year, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, is understood to be set to drop the charge after reviewing the medical assessment of Ms Higgins.
Independent medical experts reportedly fear that subjecting Ms Higgins to further trauma associated with another trial would present an ‘unacceptable risk’ to her health.
Mr Drumgold therefore is expected to announce that pursuing Mr Lehrmann’s prosecution is no longer in the public interest.
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann (pictured), who has been accused of sexually assaulting former colleague Brittany Higgins, is set to have the rape charge against him dropped
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins (pictured) claimed she was sexually assaulted at Parliament House in Linda Reynolds´ministerial office in March 2019
Mr Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to a single charge of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent.
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He has consistently maintained his innocence and claims he never had sex with Ms Higgins.
The last minute notice comes just a week after it was revealed the ACT Supreme Court would hold a surprise closed hearing into Mr Lehrmann’s retrial.
Media were banned from attending the hearing and from reporting about what the application was about.
Mr Lehrmann´s first trial was declared a mistrial after an allegation of jury misconduct.
The jury was discharged following the discovery of academic paper on the topic of sexual assault was identified in the jury room.
New medical evidence surrounding Ms Higgins’ mental health and the impact a second trial may have is expected to prompt the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold (pictured) to drop the case
Mr Lehrmann consistently maintained his innocence. He pleaded not guilty to engaging in sexual intercourse without consent
It was despite the jurors being repeatedly warned by ACT Supreme Court Justice Lucy McCallum to not conduct outside research.
In written reasons published later, Ms McCallum revealed two additional documents had been found. They were brought in by the same juror.
A new trial was listed to begin in February 2023.
More to come.
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