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AAP
AAP
National
Ethan James

Further medical delays in Grace Tame abuser's case

The magistrate in the case against Nicolaas Bester says its progress has been "drifting". (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

A court case involving the man who sexually abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame and is accused of harassing her online has been further delayed because of his health.

Nicolaas Ockert Bester pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

The 72-year-old is accused of making public posts in relation to and directed at Ms Tame in April, July and August of 2022.

Bester was jailed in 2011 for sexually abusing Ms Tame when she was a 15-year-old student at the school where he taught and for possessing child exploitation material.

Nicolaas Ockert Bester's lawyer Todd Kovacic leaves court
Bester's lawyer Todd Kovacic told court the prosecution needs further evidence on medical reports. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

He appeared in Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday, with his lawyer Todd Kovacic saying prosecutors needed further evidence in relation to medical reports.

On August 5, Mr Kovacic told the court Bester had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and his fitness to face a hearing was an issue.

"The (prosecution) require some further evidence - they need time to be able to arrange that," Mr Kovacic said on Wednesday.

"We need a couple of months ... before setting down for whatever hearing it may need."

Bester's fitness to face a hearing remained a "live issue", the court was told.

Mr Kovacic previously told the court Bester's fitness to face a hearing would "almost certainly be conceded" based on medical assessments from the defence and prosecution.

Grace Tame and Max Heerey
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame is unlikely to be called as a witness, court has been told. (Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

Magistrate Andrew McKee adjourned the matter to November 5 and tentatively listed a hearing for December 23, pending the availability of expert medical witnesses.

Mr McKee said the case, which has previously been slowed down to obtain medical reports, was "drifting". Bester was charged in October 2022.

The court was told it was unlikely Ms Tame would be required to give evidence.

Ms Tame, who was not present in court but has attended on other occasions, was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for child sexual abuse survivors.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

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