Unmasked: the woman accused of assaulting Lidia Thorpe – as firebrand politician claims she has been left with ‘spinal injuries

A woman charged with assaulting outspoken Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe at the MCG in May this year is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and Richmond Tigers AFL fan.

Ebony Bell, 27, allegedly assaulted the firebrand senator after the AFL Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond at the MCG on May 25.

On Monday, she appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from her home where the court heard she was accused of attacks on multiple people. 

Her lawyer, Emanuele Nicolosi, told the court his client was in the process of negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors that could see her admit to some of the charges alleged against her.

However it remains unclear whether Bell will admit to attacking senator Thorpe.

Mr Nicolosi had tried to have the senator’s name hidden from charge sheets granted to the media, arguing it was unclear when or where his client had allegedly attacked Ms Thorpe.

‘That particular complainant alleges she was the victim of an assault, but she hasn’t necessarily nominated when or where,’ he claimed.  

Mr Nicolosi further claimed his client had been the subject of threats since the allegations went public.  

‘My client is a Koori woman. The reason she is appearing remotely is because there has recently been some threats,’ he said. 

In a statement issued by Victoria Police last week, it was revealed Bell was charged with two counts of recklessly cause injury and three counts of unlawful assault.

‘Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a woman following an alleged assault in East Melbourne on May 25,’ a police spokeswoman said then.

‘Investigators allege that a woman assaulted another woman outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground after an AFL match about 10.30pm.

‘The incident was reported at Melbourne East Police Station on May 26.

‘The woman sustained minor injuries during the incident.

‘Police arrested a 27-year-old Preston woman in Preston on July 25.

The matter is scheduled to return to court on November 22 where the outcome of those negotiations are likely to be made clear.  

 On Monday, Ebony Jane Bell appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from her home

Senator Lidia Thorpe claimed she was brutally assaulted at the MCG earlier this year, causing a major spinal injury. Victoria Police said a 27-year-old woman has been charged with assault

Bell’s bail was extended to that date where she will appear again via videolink.

Senator Thorpe revealed details of the alleged assault on Friday after The Australian inquired about why she had missed a third of parliamentary sitting days her absences.

‘Earlier this year I was assaulted at the MCG,’ Ms Thorpe told the publication.

‘I sustained serious nerve and spinal injuries in my neck, which required spinal surgery and a plate to be inserted in the back of my neck. 

‘There’s a scar on the front of my neck from this. I was ordered by the doctor not to travel and could not attend parliament. My doctor told me to take time off work. There is currently a police investigation under way. 

‘It’s unfortunate that I have been pushed to disclose this to defend myself, when I would have preferred to keep this private, but that’s just another day in the colony for you.’ 

Her absenteeism from Parliament was even worse last year, when she attended only 38 out of 66 sitting days. 

She explained this was because the Australian Federal Police advised her to stay home because of ‘serious far-right threats’.

‘Delays to the security review and plan from parliament and the AFP meant I wasn’t able to safely travel to parliament for several months,’ the senator said. 

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