Daily London
The man who sexually abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame when she was a child will face a hearing about whether he is fit to answer harassment allegations.
Nicolaas Ockert Bester in March 2023 pleaded not guilty to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
It is alleged the former teacher made public posts on social media in relation to and directed at Tame, now 30, in April, July and August of 2022.
Bester, 73, didn’t appear at Hobart Magistrates Court today for a brief listing for the matter.
Magistrate Andrew McKee set a hearing date for February 2.
It is expected to run for a full day.
Bester’s lawyer Todd Kovacic confirmed to AAP the hearing was about his client’s fitness to face the substantive allegations and will determine “what happens next” in the matter.
Kovacic, who appeared in court by telephone, said it was the plan for Bester to appear in person for February’s hearing.
An application for a professor to give evidence via video link at the hearing was granted.
The case against Bester has been plagued by delays since he was charged in 2022.
Kovacic has previously told the court Bester had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and his fitness to face a hearing was a live issue.
Bester was convicted and sentenced in 2011 to two years and 10 months in jail 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, who has attended court on previous occasions, was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for abuse survivors.
Help is available from the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
