Members of the Press were barred from entering Supreme Court One yesterday evening to hear the jury?s verdict on Burgess and Robinson.

Chaotic scenes outside the court house as members of the public clamoured to get inside saw security officers close the doors and refuse to allow anyone in ? including waiting journalists.

Guards told members of the media that trial judge, Chief Justice Richard Ground, had ordered that nobody else be allowed into the building.

When told the hearing was being held in a public and open court of law, they simply shook their heads.

One security officer eventually took reporters to one side and told them: ?It?s two guilty verdicts but I have been told you can?t go in. It?s not my decision.?

Other security staff shouted at the crowd outside the court house, telling them: ?It?s your own fault for making too much noise.?

The confusion meant only one journalist was actually inside the court room to hear the verdicts. Those outside were stunned by the decision to lock them out ? a move thought to be unprecedented on the Island.

Police Press officer Dwayne Caines said he too was unable to get into the building to hear the jury?s decision.

?The judge made a decision based on the fact that the court session had already begun,? he said.

?The judge has the latitude to do so.

? There was a specific time when the jury came back in and the court had filled and he did not want to interrupt the session once it had started.

?I couldn?t get in. I was out here as well. Everyone is saying they have never seen anything like it.?

The reporter who made it inside said the courtroom was half-empty, with only family of the defendants and the victims in the public gallery.