Anthony James Lloyd sentencing delay secrecy on charge of throwing acid over Geoffrey McLean

Secrecy surrounds why the man who threw acid over Geoff McLean can’t be sentenced yet – with his legal counsel requesting the court be closed to take “confidential instructions”.

Sheree Glastonbury with Geoffrey McLean, whom she allegedly murdered. Picture: 7NEWS

The man who threw acid over, but is not accused of killing, alleged murder victim Geoff McLean should not be sentenced yet for “confidential” reasons and the need for “further inquiries”, a court has heard.

Anthony James Lloyd was scheduled to be sentenced in the District Court on Tuesday for the violence he inflicted upon Mr McLean months prior to his death.

Before the hearing, however, Lloyd’s counsel Jon Lyons asked for the court to be closed so he could speak to his client, by video link, and take “confidential instructions”.

When the case was called on, he asked Judge Joanne Tracy to postpone determination of his client’s fate.

Victim Geoff McLean. Pictures: Facebook

“I thank Your Honour for allowing me to take further instructions, and I ask that Your Honour not sentence today,” he said.

“Further inquiries need to be made and Your Honour should sentence in the future, perhaps in eight weeks’ time.”

Lloyd, 63, who is not charged with Mr McLean’s alleged murder, pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of causing serious harm with intent.

On May 10 last year, he doused Mr McLean with a mixture of petrol and hydrochloric acid.

Mr McLean subsequently went missing and, after his partial remains were found in a wheelie bin, Sheree Glastonbury and another man – Mark John Murphy – were charged with murder.

Ms Glastonbury was in a relationship with Mr McLean at the time of his disappearance.

Last month, counsel for Lloyd told the court their client was “besotted” with Ms Glastonbury, had an on-off relationship with her, and threw the acid at her suggestion.

“He cannot understand why, after living such a law-abiding life, he would have done it,” his counsel said.

“His life at that time was Sheree Glastonbury and whatever she wanted.”

On Tuesday, the prosecutor said she did not oppose the request to delay sentencing given “the circumstances”.

Judge Tracy remanded Lloyd in custody until July.