The individual convicted of sexually abusing Grace Tame, a former Australian of the Year, is set to undergo a hearing to assess his capability to respond to harassment charges.
In March 2023, Nicolaas Ockert Bester entered a plea of not guilty to three charges related to using a communication service to intimidate, harass, or offend.
The allegations suggest that the former educator posted comments on social media targeting Tame, now aged 30, during April, July, and August of 2022.
Bester, currently 73, was absent from a brief session at Hobart Magistrates Court today concerning the case.
Magistrate Andrew McKee has scheduled the hearing for February 2.
The proceedings are anticipated to last all 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.
