Ebony Jan Bell, charged with assaulting Thorpe, tells the court she has received threats since the incident

In a notable court hearing, Ebony Jan Bell, the 28-year-old woman accused of assaulting independent senator Lidia Thorpe outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), has reported receiving threats since being charged. The incident occurred following the Essendon-Richmond game in May during the AFL’s Indigenous round.

Bell appeared via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday, as her defence barrister, Emanuele Nicolosi, explained her absence was due to the serious nature of the threats she has faced since the allegations surfaced. Nicolosi challenged the validity of the case against Bell, suggesting that public comments made by Thorpe may not directly pertain to his client’s situation.

The incident, which has attracted significant media attention, was reported to police the day after it occurred, with allegations that Thorpe sustained minor injuries. Bell was arrested on July 25 and charged with two counts of recklessly causing injury and three counts of unlawful assault, which relate to both Thorpe and at least one other individual present during the altercation.

Thorpe, who has faced her own scrutiny, defended her attendance record in the Senate last week, noting she had missed over a third of sitting days and participated in less than half of formal votes since the last election. She attributed this to a need for surgery following an assault earlier this year, shedding light on the personal challenges she has faced amidst her political career.

The case has sparked considerable public interest, particularly regarding the intersection of politics and personal safety in the context of high-profile figures like Thorpe. As the legal proceedings continue, both the accusations and the claims of threats against Bell raise important questions about accountability, safety, and the implications of public life.