Justice Vicki Ann Ellis approved an application for the case of Clyde Lloyd Jr. and Calisio Romney to be heard in camera at the High Court on Tuesday, meaning the public and press will be unable to attend the trial.
Senior Crown Counsel Leslie-Ann Faulkner proposed the application, stating that the case should remain closed due to the “nature of the offence,” and the defence did not object.
Guards then instructed this reporter to leave the courtroom. Guards also prevented this reporter from entering the courtroom on Monday, the first day of the trial, stating that they were unsure if the media was allowed to attend.
In November 2013, the High Court began regularly blocking the media from sex-crime cases involving juvenile complainants, but the age of the alleged victim in this case is unclear.
Messrs. Lloyd and Romney are accused of luring a woman to an empty house and raping her in May 2014.
At one of their previous appearances at the Magistrates’ Court, Ms. Faulkner described how the two allegedly took turns raping the woman.
“She said no, but he moved towards her, forced her legs open, and proceeded to have sexual intercourse,” she said of Mr. Romney. “When he was through, he said it was Mr. Lloyd’s turn.”
The prosecution alleged that during police interviews, Mr. Lloyd denied any involvement in the incident, while Mr. Romney claimed he had consensual sex with the complainant.
See the Nov. 12, 2015 edition for full coverage.