Rape accused "took the opportunity to have a sexual encounter with a vulnerable young girl"

Tuesday 11 July 2023

The trial of 64-year-old man who denies raping a teenager with autism in a town car park began in the Royal Court yesterday.

Joseph Raymond Lloyd is charged with rape and sexual penetration without consent. He denies both charges.

Opening the case for the prosecution on the first day of the trial, Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit said: "Mr Lloyd took the opportunity to have a sexual encounter with a vulnerable young girl. He thought that if he lied to the police, he would get away with it.

"He didn’t realise how much of an evidential trail he had already left behind."

The vulnerable teenager – a teenage girl with autism who was not known to him – gave evidence via video link yesterday.

She told the jury of seven men and five women that she was raped and sexually assaulted after a night out in St. Helier.

"He hurt me," she told the police. "I was scared."

The jury were shown CCTV footage of Mr Lloyd leaving the Dog & Sausage pub in Halkett Street on the night in question, just as the alleged victim was passing. He then appeared to follow close behind her.

CCTV later captures the two in Snow Hill, where Mr Lloyd seems to kiss the girl and lead her by the hand behind a van parked in Snow Hill car park. Once there, he is said to have pulled up her dress, assaulted her and raped her.

Jurors were also shown body-worn camera footage from the States police officers who attended the scene within minutes of the alleged victim’s 999 phone call.

The teenager is seen sobbing as she struggles to explain to an officer what happened.

Footage from another officer shows Mr Lloyd being questioned. He says he was waiting for a taxi and went to help the girl, who seemed to be distressed, and offered to help her to find a taxi.

Crown Advocate Maletroit said the girl was taken to Dewberry House sexual assault referral centre, where an examination confirmed she had been assaulted.

Mr Lloyd’s DNA was found on her body. Tests confirmed she had no alcohol or drugs in her system at the time.

Under questioning from Advocate Mike Preston, defending, the girl said: "He asked me if he could kiss me. I said 'no' but he did it anyway.

"He told me to get behind the white van. I didn’t want to but he pulled me. He pushed me against the back of the van."

The advocate said: "This man said you touched him first."

She replied: "No. I was trying to get away the whole time."

The trial continues and is expected to last for the next four days.

SUPPORT...

Islanders affected by any of the issues raised in this report can contact any of the following:

SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222. 

Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Confidential helpline: 01534 482800.

Jersey Women’s Refuge offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836.

Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496. 

Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612. 

Samaritans offer a confidential and non-judgemental listening ear to people who need to talk. Tel: 116 123 free from any phone or 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply).