<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Car theft charges have been downgraded in a case against </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dday-for-lehrmann-after-another-return-to-lions-den/ffb6686e-94c7-49e3-80c1-8db6a155e086" rel="" target="" title="Bruce Lehrmann"><span>Bruce Lehrmann</span></a><span>, following a loss at a higher court where he sought to restore his reputation. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The disgraced former Liberal staffer had sued Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over an interview with Brittany Higgins on </span><em><span>The Project</span></em><span> in 2021 in which she claimed she had been raped.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Justice Michael Lee found in April 2024 that Lehrmann had, on the balance of probabilities, raped Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 after a night out. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-electricity-prices/7b7b09de-7fd9-4e41-ac46-23b63631bbf3" rel="" target="" title="Electricity prices in Australia could rise by up to 20 per cent"><strong><span>Electricity prices in Australia could rise by up to 20 per cent</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The finding was upheld by the full court of the Federal Court yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Higgins expressed her relief at the decision in a statement on social media.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Finally, it feels like I can breathe again," she posted on Instagram, thanking the court for its decision.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/bruce-lehrmann-car-theft-charges-hobart-tasmania/3c563f34-9ada-4e10-aa7d-1bbf996eefce" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While on the face of it this was a defamation case against a media outlet, in reality this was once again a rape trial.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I cannot begin to tell you how retraumatising it is to have your rapist weaponise the legal system against you for daring to speak out.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Sadly, this isn't uncommon. It's a legal tactic that is being increasingly used around the world by perpetrators in a bid to sue victim-survivors into silence as a direct response to the #MeToo movement."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lehrmann has always denied he sexually assaulted Higgins, and a criminal case against him in 2022 was abandoned without any findings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He did not appear in court yesterday and was represented by lawyer Zali Burrows, who said he was "overwhelmed" by the decision and was seeking advice on applying for special leave to contest the decision in the High Court. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lehrmann was directed to pay $2 million in damages after his initial defamation loss, and he must now also foot the bill for the legal costs of his opponents during his unsuccessful appeal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 30-year-old had another court matter today, this time in Hobart, over a November 2024 incident where he absconded with a Toyota Prado.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The matter was heard before magistrate Robert Webster in a "contest mention" hearing, with most content suppressed. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prosecutor Bunewat Keo advised the court that a previous charge of car theft had been downgraded to driving without consent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While Burrows attended court, Lehrmann was not sighted - contrary to an order last month from Webster that he must appear or risk arrest.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prior to the hearing, Burrows told waiting journalists that her client was "not in a good way", asking for compassionate coverage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The matter continues before the Hobart Magistrates Court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/one-shot-dead-two-injured-shooting-in-nsw-northeastman-remains-on-the-run/a5e45b85-75bf-4192-8531-e0a258148712" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Detectives point to possible motive behind deadly shooting</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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