Grace Tame stares down abuser Nicolaas Bester in court
Grace Tame stares at the teacher who assaulted her during a dramatic court case – as the 70-year-old pleads innocent on Twitter for threatening Australian of the year
- Nicolaas Bester accused of threatening or harassing her
- Tame, partner Max Heerey appeared in Hobart Court
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame watched as the teacher who assaulted her when she was 15 pleaded not guilty to charges that he threatened, harassed or insulted her online.
Nicolaas Ockert Bester, 70, is said to have posted public messages on the social media platform Twitter regarding and addressed to Ms Tame.
He appeared before Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to three charges of using a carriage to threaten, harass or cause offense.
Grace Tame appeared in court on Tuesday accompanied by supporters
The messages would have been posted in April, July and August last year.
The case was adjourned on April 27 for match entry and his bail continued.
Ms Tame was in court with her partner Max Heerey and several other supporters.
Bester is seen outside court in Hobart. He pleaded not guilty to threatening or harassing Ms. Tame via Twitter posts
Tame smiles as she speaks to supporters after the court statement
Bester, who did not speak to the media outside of court, was charged by police in October and made his first court appearance in December.
Former school teacher Bester was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison in 2011 for abusing Ms. Tame when she was at his school, and for possessing child exploitation material.
Ms Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for survivors of abuse and their ability to speak out.