Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who was found by a Federal Court to have raped one-time colleague Brittany Higgins, has again faced a court.

Lehrmann appeared by phone in Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday morning, accused of stealing a car.

It is alleged the 29-year-old stole a Toyota Prado from Mountain River, a rural area south-west of Hobart, on November 20.

Lehrmann’s lawyer Zali Burrows, who also appeared by phone, requested an adjournment so she could make representations on the charge. It was granted by the court, with Lehrmann yet to enter a plea.

Lehrmann, who the court was unable to initially contact by phone, will re-appear on June 19.

According to court documents, the charge of motor vehicle stealing was brought against Lehrmann by Gail Denise Oates.

Lehrmann’s criminal trial for allegedly raping Higgins at federal parliament in 2019 was abandoned in October 2022 because of juror misconduct.

There was no retrial amid concerns for Higgins’ mental health.

Lehrmann, who has maintained his innocence, sued media outlets for defamation in civil action in the Federal Court. He lost the case, with the court finding – to the civil standard of proof – that he had raped Higgins.

He is appealing the Federal Court decision.

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-AAP