Ben Roberts-Smith allegedly attempted to ‘intimidate’ witnesses, lawyers for newspapers tell defamation trial

In closing submissions newspapers' counsel claims alleged actions are forceful indicators of Roberts-Smith's consciousness of guilt'

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Ben Roberts-Smith attempted to suborn or intimidate witnesses who were set to give evidence against him in his defamation case, made criminal allegations against another, and threatened to accuse one of murder in an attempt to coerce him into changing his testimony to a war crimes inquiry, lawyers for the newspapers he is suing have told the federal court.

In closing submissions in Roberts-Smith's long-running defamation action against three Australian newspapers, Nicholas Owens SC, acting for the newspapers, said Roberts-Smith's alleged efforts to intimidate" and threaten" soldier witnesses in the lead-up to his defamation trial, and during an inquiry by the inspector general of the Australian Defence Force into allegations of war crimes, were forceful indicators of his consciousness of guilt".