The case in court involving a Dutchman accused of raping his ex-girlfriend continued this afternoon behind closed doors after a magistrate upheld the prosecution's request as the case could offend public morals.

As the case began, Magistrate Josette Demicoli upheld the request and ordered all journalists to leave the courtroom. The request had the backing of the woman's lawyer, Giannella de Marco, who is appearing as parte civile.

Johan Stellingwerf, a 33-year-old Dutch man, is accused of raping the Maltese woman, with whom he had a relationship for four months, and of defrauding her of some €25,000. The woman's name cannot be published by court order.

In the last sitting, the court heard how the woman reported the rape to the police but then withdrew her criminal complaint only to have a change of heart two days later, telling the police to proceed with the case.

Inspector Robert Vella said that on June 2 last year the alleged victim went to police to complain that her former boyfriend, who she only knew by his first name, had raped her in April 2012.

The inspector said the woman alleged that he had raped her several times over a period of two months.

When the case was then referred to the Vice Squad, the alleged victim told the police she wanted to withdraw the complaint she had filed. However, two days later, she had a change of heart and told the police she wanted to proceed with the case.

The defence, led by lawyers Malcolm Mifsud and Jason Grima, said they are contesting the charges, insisting that the sex between the two was consensual. They dated for four months, used to live together and often went abroad together, including to Spain and Poland.

The case continues.