Former Hobart teacher contests $1.6 million abuse verdict over judge's social media posts
Stephen Fane Noga is appealing a Supreme Court ruling that awarded $1.6 million to his former student, arguing the judge’s online activity may have biased the decision.
The appeal by former Hobart Matriculation College teacher Stephen Fane Noga challenges a Supreme Court decision that granted $1.6 million in damages to a woman who says she was raped by him in the 1980s. Noga’s team argues that Justice Stephen Estcourt’s social-media activity, which expressed support for victims of child sexual abuse, created a perception of bias that may have affected the verdict. The plaintiff’s lawyer maintained there is no logical link between the posts and the judgment, noting that sympathy for abuse victims is widespread.
Noga also disputes three other aspects of the ruling, alleging legal errors and questioning the credibility of the plaintiff’s testimony. The hearing, which began yesterday, continued today in Hobart.
