Teacher who abused Grace Tame to front court over accusations he threatened and harassed her online
- Nicolas Bester sexually abused Grace Tame when she was his student
- He will now likely face court over accusations he harassed her online
- READ MORE: Grace Tame reveals disturbing messages abuser is posting online
A man who abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame when she was a child will likely face a two-day court hearing over allegations he harassed her online.
Nicolaas Ockert Bester, who pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, briefly appeared in court on Friday.
Issues surrounding Bester's medical fitness could form part of the two-day hearing, expected to begin on August 5 in Hobart Magistrates Court.
He is alleged to have made public posts on social media in relation to and directed at Ms Tame, 29, in April, July and August of 2022.
Bester was jailed in 2011 for abusing Grace Tame when she was a student at his school.
Bester, who pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, briefly appeared in court on Friday (pictured)
Grace Tame is pictured at the Marie Claire 2024 International Women's Day Luncheon
Bester's lawyer Todd Kovacic said his client had been medically examined two weeks ago but he had only received the report on Thursday.
Mr Kovacic said he needed time to consider the report and flagged the potential of Bester changing his plea.
'The issue goes to fitness. I need time to consider that,' he said.
Mr Kovacic described the not guilty plea as a 'holding plea' and said 'things may have changed' in light of the report, which he said needed to be provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Magistrate Andrew McKee continued Bester's bail and relisted the matter for August 5 and 6, with the hearing expected to take at least a full day.
Bester, a former teacher, was charged by police in October 2022 over the alleged online harassment (he is pictured at Hobart Magistrates Court last April)
The case has been plagued by delays including previous adjournments to obtain medical reports.
Bester, a former teacher, was charged by police in October 2022 over the alleged online harassment.
He was convicted and sentenced in 2011 to two years and 10 months in jail for abusing Ms Tame when she was a student at his school and for possessing child exploitation material.
He served one year and nine months.
Ms Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for abuse survivors.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
READ MORE: Read the disturbing messages Grace Tame claims the teacher who abused her is STILL posting online
Nicolaas Bester was a 58-year-old teacher at St Michael's Collegiate School, an Anglican girls school in Hobart, when he groomed and abused Grace Tame
