Lehrmann investigator denies perjury and other justice-related offences in unrelated case

Australian Federal Police officer Trent Madders investigated Bruce Lehrmann, though the alleged behaviour occurred during an unrelated investigation. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

A Canberra detective has denied alleged misconduct relating to an investigation into two brothers.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Trent Madders was charged earlier this year with aggravated perjury, destroying or concealing evidence, and perverting the course of justice.

According to the particulars of the charges, Mr Madders is accused of making a false sworn statement in a legal proceeding “with the intention of procuring someone else’s conviction for, or acquittal of, an offence” between 5 and 6 August 2020.

He is also accused of concealing evidence “with the intention of influencing the outcome of a legal proceeding” sometime between 12 June 2019 and 6 August 2020.

Mr Madders was not present in court on Thursday (15 August), but his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court on his behalf.

It’s understood the charges relate to an investigation into identical twins, former AFP officer Joshua Tiffen and his electrician brother Kenan Tiffen, who had been accused of secretly filming female tenants at a Canberra home in 2019.

The pair had previously been found guilty of three counts of capturing visual data each, but that finding is subject to an appeal.

Mr Madders was suspended from duty in July 2024 following an AFP Professional Standards branch investigation.

He previously worked on the case against Bruce Lehrmann and was one of five officers who tried to sue former Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold, though they ultimately withdrew their case.

Mr Madders’ case is next scheduled to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on 28 October.