Ebony Bell appeared through video hyperlink in Melbourne Magistrates Court docket at this time charged with two counts of recklessly inflicting damage and three counts of illegal assault.
Thorpe alleges she was assaulted at a public occasion earlier in 2024.
Police allege a girl was assaulted outdoors the Melbourne Cricket Floor on Might 25 following the AFL’s annual Dreamtime on the ‘G conflict between Essendon and Richmond.
The alleged assault was reported to police the subsequent day earlier than Bell, who was 27 on the time, was arrested on July 25.
Bell’s lawyer Emanuele Nicolosi mentioned the case had some “actual deficiencies” however revealed an “provide” had been made by the prosecution on Friday.
“I have not had sufficient time to essentially contemplate it,” he informed the court docket.
Nicolosi famous his shopper was a Koori girl and mentioned she wasn’t showing in particular person due to “latest threats”.
He argued towards Thorpe’s identify being launched as one of many complainants however Justice of the Peace Belinda Franjic sided with the media because the firebrand senator has already publicly recognized herself.
Bell will stay on bail earlier than the case returns to court docket on November 22.
Police beforehand described Thorpe’s accidents as “minor” however she says she suffered critical nerve and spinal accidents in her neck.
In an announcement, the Victorian senator mentioned the accidents required her to bear spinal surgical procedure and have a plate inserted, leading to a scar on the entrance of her neck.
“I used to be ordered by the physician to not journey and couldn’t attend parliament after I sustained the damage and through restoration from surgical procedure,” she mentioned.
“My physician informed me to take day off work.”
Thorpe defended lacking 51 of the 138 Senate sitting days this parliamentary time period, saying she didn’t take her place as an impartial senator flippantly.
“Once I have not been current in parliament, I’ve nonetheless been engaged with and following the legislative agenda, and guaranteeing that my voting positions are mirrored within the vote final result by means of pairing preparations,” she mentioned.
Thorpe made worldwide headlines after calling out King Charles throughout a reception in Parliament Home in Canberra.
The Indigenous senator rejected coalition requires her to resign from the higher home and confirmed she swore an oath of allegiance to the late Queen’s “hairs” fairly than her heirs, when taking her seat in 2022.
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