Verdict in the Bruce Lehrmann libel trial – how it happened | Australian Media

Lee was convinced that Higgins had not consented to sex with Lehrmann

Sexual intercourse occurred between Higgins and Lehrmann, but Lee is not at all pleased with the fact that Higgins repeatedly said “stop” while lying on top of her.

Lee details the historical and legal definitions of rape.

Lee said his focus in this case is on the ordinary meaning of rape, which is a civil case, not a criminal case.

According to Lee, sexual intercourse occurred between Higgins and Lehrmann

Lee said it was significant that she told her “loving father” that she had been raped.

“You wonder why a daughter would say something like that to an obviously loving father without any real faith that should have taken place,” Lee said.

“For the sake of completeness, it is important to emphasize that these seemingly open communications with her father could be viewed as compelling because they occurred prior to the interview with The Project.”

Judge found Higgins was “heavily drunk” on the night of the alleged rape

Lee is satisfied that Higgins was drunk and that she was “severely intoxicated,” even though we don't have a blood alcohol reading.

Lehrmann was not accused of additionally drinking whiskey in the office on the witness stand, but he strongly suspects that it happened.

CCTV footage showed Higgins going through security, trying to put her shoes on and later hopping to catch up.

While it shows she wasn't “paralytically drunk,” she was severely affected and Lehrmann was aware of her condition, Lee says.

Judge presents undeniable facts

Lee says Higgins was happy to hear Lehrmann deny that sex even took place. Higgins had told Samantha Maiden she believed there would be a debate about consent.

Lee said the undeniable facts were: Higgins and Lehrmann were alone in Parliament House; Lehrmann didn't answer his girlfriend's calls, Lehrmann left the office alone, Higgins fell into a deep sleep; Higgins was checked by a security guard and there was no response.

The judge criticized Bruce Lehrmann quite harshly throughout the reading of the verdict extracts.

Lehrmann, who was sitting in court, barely looked up at the judge throughout the sentencing hearing, instead looking at his table and occasionally chatting with the legal representative sitting next to him.

'Subtle tension' between Higgins' different accounts of alleged rape, says judge

Lehrmann's report is an “elaborate fantasy,” says Lee

Lee rejects criticism of Parliament's security guards for letting Higgins and Lehrmann in

Lehrmann told security that “we,” not “I,” needed to collect documents so guards wouldn’t deny them entry. Lehrmann thought collecting his keys wasn't a good excuse to get into the office and thought he might be turned away, Lee says.

Lee evaluates the security forces' statements about the degree of poisoning of Lehrmann and Higgins. A security guard said Higgins was drunk because she was having trouble putting on her shoes.

Lee dismisses Ten's claim that the pair should have been denied entry to the Parliament building, pointing out that drunk people can calm down and convince the guards that they are fine.

He rejects the critical statements about security personnel.