Grace Tame stares down the teacher who abused her in dramatic court appearance – as 70-year-old pleads not guilty to menacing the Australian of the Year on Twitter
- Nicolaas Bester charged with menacing or harassing her
- Tame, partner Max Heerey appeared at Hobart court
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame watched on as the teacher who abused her when she was 15 pleaded not guilty to accusations he menaced, harassed or offended her online.
Nicolaas Ockert Bester, 70, is alleged to have made public posts on social media platform Twitter in relation to and directed at Ms Tame.
He appeared in Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Grace Tame appeared at court on Tuesday accompanied by supporters
It is alleged the posts were made April, July and August last year.
The matter was adjourned for contest mention on April 27 and his bail was continued.
Ms Tame was in the courtroom with her partner Max Heerey and several other supporters.
Bester is seen outside court in Hobart. He entered a not guilty plea to menacing or harassing Ms Tame via Twitter posts
Tame smiles as she speaks to supporters following the court mention
Bester, who did not speak to media outside the court, was charged by police in October and first appeared in court in December.
Former teacher Bester was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to two years and 10 months jail for abusing Ms Tame when she was a student at his school, as well as for possessing child exploitation material.
Ms Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for survivors of abuse and their ability to speak out.
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