Brittany Higgins and her fiancé David Sharaz have been spotted for the first time since Bruce Lehrmann was identified as the high-profile figure charged over a separate alleged rape.
The couple on Tuesday went to a Gold Coast cafe and walked their cavoodle Kingston – although much of their time together was spent glued to their phones.
Ms Higgins wore a stylish all-black outfit with matching sunglasses, while Mr Sharaz donned a white t-shirt and alternated between black shorts and dark blue jeans.
Mr Sharaz dropped his partner off at the exclusive Palm Beach beauty Salon Peche, while he got his step count up walking their dog.
A week earlier, Lehrmann said his legal team was considering its options after Ms Higgins spoke out on Instagram when a suppression order was lifted, leading him to be named as being charged in an alleged sexual assault case.
Brittany Higgins is seen for the first time since Bruce Lehrmann was identified as the high-profile figure charged over a separate alleged rape
Brittany Higgins (left) and her fiancé David Sharaz (right) were spotted out and about on the Gold Coast
David Sharaz is pictured walking Kingston, the cavoodle he shares with Brittany Higgins
The couple spent time on their phones while they relaxed at a café
Ms Higgins wore a stylish all-black outfit with matching sunglasses, while Mr Sharaz donned a white t-shirt and alternated between black shorts and dark blue jeans
Lehrmann was charged with two counts of rape in January following an alleged incident after a night out at a strip club in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in October 2021.
He is accused of twice failing to wear a condom while having sex with a young woman.
After the news broke, Ms Higgins said: ‘When I first found out about the alleged sexual assault my heart broke for you,’ in an apparent address to the alleged victim.
On the day his rape charge was due for mention in Toowoomba Local Court, Lehrmann released his own comments.
‘The non-publication order we sought unsuccessfully last week would have ensured the subsequent prejudicial and often inaccurate reporting would not have occurred,’ he said.
Lehrmann then took aim at Ms Higgins’ statement.
‘Her statement was public and widely reported. As such my team will be considering our position and the relief the justice system rightly has available to us now.
Mr Sharaz dropped his partner off at the exclusive Palm Beach beauty Salon Peche
Mr Sharaz was a journalist who transitioned to become a government media advisor
Ms Higgins is seen clutching her phone and purse as the couple stroll through the streets
Ms Higgins wore dark, open-toed sandals, while Mr Sharaz wore white sneakers (pictured)
Mr Sharaz got his step count up walking their cavoodle dog Kingston
While they stopped for a coffee Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz (pictured) checked their phones
Mr Sharaz is seen dropping off Ms Higgins at Palm Beach beauty Salon Peche (pictured)
Ms Higgins carried a small brown purse, while Mr Sharaz carried a large brown satchel (pictured)
It was Melbourne Cup Day, but Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz had other things on their minds
David Sharaz is seen with takeaway drinks while walking the couple’s dog Kingston (pictured)
‘The recent ACT Criminal Justice Inquiry and its findings should not be forgotten.
‘The only verdict of any substance that’s been handed down this year was that of Mr Sofronoff’s condemnation of the behaviour of the DPP and Mr Shane Drumgold.’
Lehrmann was tried in the ACT Supreme Court in 2022 after his former Liberal Party colleague Ms Higgins alleged he raped her in Parliament House after a night out in 2019 – which he strongly denies.
A second trial was also abandoned.
Mr Lehrmann has not entered a plea to the new charges but denies the allegations. Daily Mail Australia understands that he intends to plead not guilty.
His matter will return to court on December 13.
Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) is considering legal options after Brittany Higgins commented on his current court case
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