Lawyers for Malka Leifer, the former ultra-orthodox school principal accused of dozens of child sex offences, have said the "home life" of her alleged victims may be probed, as they seek to test the evidence against her.Ms Leifer today fronted the Melbourne Magistrates' Court facing 74 charges of child sex abuse, including multiple counts of rape, indecent assault and sexual penetration of a child.
The allegations have been levelled against the 54-year-old by three sisters — Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper — who attended the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick while Ms Leifer was headmistress.
Ms Leifer has long maintained her innocence.
Today the Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard that 10 witnesses will be called to test the evidence against Ms Leifer.
The administrative hearing was only Ms Leifer's second appearance since she was extradited from Israel earlier this year.
She appeared by videolink from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, which is Victoria's maximum-security women's prison, wearing a blue jumper, a white shirt and a white head covering.
Ms Leifer was supported by her brother, who watched proceedings from Israel, where it was early in the morning.
She spoke sparingly, only acknowledging that she could hear the proceedings.
Her lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, told the court that any cross-examination would be done with "as much care as possible".
"Clearly the relationship that the three complainants had with their parents, in particular their mother, it would seem is the genesis for the relationship between the accused and the complainants," Mr Hargreaves told the court.
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| Malka Leifer's accusers, Nicole Meyer, Elly Sapper and Dassi Erlich |
"We may wish to ask the witnesses about … what was happening at home with the complainants," he said.
"…It will be limited and it may be that counsel chooses not to pursue that avenue."
Ms Leifer will face a five-day hearing in September.
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