Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial: Inside the wild backstory behind a bizarre video of a Taylor Auerbach snapping his arch-enemy’s golf clubs in half – any why he says you need to watch another strange clip to understand it

A former Channel Seven employee has told a court that footage of him destroying his boss’s $2,000 golf clubs was actually a parody of another bizarre video involving another Spotlight producer and a wet cloth.

Taylor Auerbach, an ex-producer for the network’s Spotlight program, filmed himself smiling late last year as he destroyed a set of golf clubs belonging to his former colleague Steve Jackson.

He uploaded the video to Instagram with the caption, “Merry Christmas. Sue me,” after the couple had a bitter fallout.

Mr Auerbach was asked about the video in the Federal Court on Thursday during Mr Lehrmann’s defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.

He was cross-examined by Matthew Richardson SC, Mr Lehrmann’s lawyer suggested the video was an expression of “hatred” toward Jackson.

Mr Auerbach disagreed, saying it was actually a parody of a video uploaded to social media by Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn, telling the court: ‘It’s important to put them side by side to look at.’

The court did not play the clips consecutively. However, Daily Mail Australia has exclusively obtained a copy of Mr Llewellyn’s original video.

The 18-second clip was superimposed on Boney M’s 1978 hit Rivers of Babylon, which featured Mr Llewellyn standing under an outdoor blind while wringing out a wet cloth.

Mr Llewellyn appeared sweaty and exhausted as he grimaced and strained as he twirled the cloth.

When he was done, he gasped and gave him a thumbs up.

A man in the background seemed to pay no attention to the strange scene.

Daily Mail Australia understands the video was filmed after a tennis match between Mr Llewellyn and the other man.

On Thursday, Auerbach was asked in court whether he “particularly hated” Jackson.

“Yes,” Mr. Auerbach admitted.

The video of Mr Auerbach destroying Mr Jackson’s golf clubs was played in court.

Taylor Auerbach (right), an ex-producer at the network’s Spotlight program, filmed himself smiling late last year as he destroyed a set of golf clubs belonging to his former colleague Steve Jackson (left)

Mr Auerbach was asked about the video in the Federal Court on Thursday during Mr Lehrmann’s (pictured) defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson

Mr Richardson said: ‘You make these statements and you tell the court that you show no hatred towards Mr Jackson.’

Mr Auerbach replied: ‘That is my evidence.’

Mr Richardson said his evidence was ‘ridiculous’.

During Thursday’s hearing, it became clear that part of the reason Mr. Auerbach resented Mr. Jackson was because he had been promoted.

He also ‘partly’ blamed Jackson when Channel Seven did not renew his contract.

Judge Michael Lee reopened the defamation case on Tuesday after Network Ten successfully argued there was new evidence from Mr Auerbach that was not available at the trial in December.

Judge Michael Lee reopened the defamation case after Network Ten successfully argued there was new evidence from Mr Auerbach that was not available at the trial in December. Lisa Wilkinson is pictured

Mr. Auerbach was part of Spotlight’s team when it secured exclusive interviews with Mr. Lehrmann, which aired in June and August last year.

During these two interviews, classified information about Lehrmann’s failed criminal trial in 2022 was broadcast on national television.

The confidential material included Ms Higgins’ private texts and CCTV footage of her and Mr Lehrmann entering Parliament House before she was allegedly raped in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has denied leaking the material.

The hearing will continue on Friday.

Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in 2019. Mr Lehrmann has denied the accusation