A man who abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as a child is likely to face a two-day court hearing over allegations he harassed her online.
Nicolaas Ockert Bester will likely face a two-day court hearing over allegations he threatened and harassed the 29-year-old online.
Issues relating to Bester’s health could form part of the hearing, which is expected to begin on August 5 in Hobart Magistrates Court.
Bester, who pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a transportation service to threaten, harass or offend, appeared briefly in court on Friday.
He is alleged to have made public social media posts relating to and directed at Ms Tame in April, July and August 2022.
Bester, who pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three charges of using a transportation service to threaten, harass or offend, appeared briefly in court on Friday (pictured).
Grace Tame appears at Marie Claire International Women’s Day 2024 luncheon
Bester was jailed in 2011 for abusing Grace Tame when she was a student at his school.
Bester’s attorney, Todd Kovacic, said his client had been medically examined two weeks ago but did not receive the report until Thursday.
Kovacic said he needed time to consider the report and noted the possibility of Bester changing his statement.
‘The question goes to fitness. “I need time to consider that,” she said.
Kovacic described the not guilty plea as a “declaration of suspension” and said “things may have changed” in light of the report, which he said was due to be delivered to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Magistrate Andrew McKee continued Bester’s bail and relisted the matter for August 5-6, with the hearing expected to last at least a full day.
Bester, a former teacher, was charged by police in October 2022 for alleged online harassment (pictured in Hobart Magistrates Court last April).
The case has been plagued by delays, including previous adjournments to obtain medical reports.
Bester, a former teacher, was charged by police in October 2022 for alleged online harassment.
He was convicted and sentenced in 2011 to two years and 10 months in prison for abusing Tame when she was a student at his school and for possessing child exploitation material.
He served one year and nine months.
Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for abuse survivors.
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