A British Airways pilot accused of secretly filming a sexual encounter with a cabin crew member was allegedly told "don't get caught" by a friend he sent the footage to, a court has heard in a case that has sent shockwaves through the aviation community.
Intimate Footage Shared Without Consent
Tim Capron, 38, is standing trial at Reading Crown Court accused of voyeurism after allegedly taking a photograph and two videos of himself having sex with a blindfolded British Airways flight attendant. The court heard that the pair had originally connected through the popular dating application Tinder, with their encounter taking place in September 2021.
The complainant, whose identity is protected, told jurors that while she had consented to the sexual activity, she had never agreed to being photographed or filmed during their intimate moments. She described how she later discovered the phone and angrily confronted Capron about the unauthorised recordings.
Angry Confrontation and Denial
In a text message presented as evidence, the complainant expressed her frustration to Capron, stating: "I do not know what your game was to be honest. If it is a contest to brag about sha***** crew then crack on. I still haven't decided what I am going to do if I am honest."
Capron responded with a denial, replying: "None of that is true. It is sad you could think that of me." The exchange highlighted the growing tension between the two parties following the discovery of the recordings.
'Don't Get Caught' Warning
The court heard that Capron allegedly sent the intimate footage to fellow British Airways pilot Steven Farnworth, whom he had met at flight school six years prior to the incident. Text messages revealed that on the night of the encounter, Capron had messaged Farnworth asking: "When I have got her blindfolded, is it safe for you to see a few videos?"
After receiving a picture from Capron, Farnworth reportedly responded with the phrase "Fan dabby dozey." In a subsequent message that has become central to the prosecution's case, Farnworth allegedly warned: "Don't get caught."
Previous Conviction Revealed
During proceedings, it emerged that Capron had a previous conviction for possessing extreme pornography. The Oxford graduate, who holds an MA in biology from Christchurch College, had received a conditional discharge in August 2023 after pleading guilty to the offence at Reading Magistrates' Court.
Defence barrister Jenni Dempster KC explained that police had discovered a single extreme pornographic video on Capron's phone during their investigation. The video had been received from a friend and forwarded to another contact in January 2019, resulting in the separate charge.
Defendant's Statement and Defence
In a prepared statement read to the court, Capron expressed remorse, stating he "felt terrible" after realising the complainant was distressed about what had happened. He maintained there was "no malicious intent" in taking the images, explaining: "Doing so when the complainant was blindfolded and in a dark room, I thought would ensure we were both anonymous."
Capron also revealed that the complainant had told him about being previously "blackmailed" over intimate images by another partner, which he suggested indicated she had engaged in similar activities before. The central issue in the case remains whether Capron knew the complainant did not consent to the recording, a charge he continues to deny.
Personal Impact and Career Context
The defendant told jurors that he had been single at the time of the incident and remained unmarried and childless. He disclosed that he had not used Tinder or any dating applications since the events came to light, explaining: "I have not felt it appropriate at all to be on any sort of dating application or anything like that, because I do not feel it is appropriate."
Capron added that he was carrying "so much baggage" that pursuing relationships would be inappropriate until he could be completely transparent about his circumstances. He contextualised his use of dating apps by explaining that during the Covid pandemic, he had feared redundancy as the aviation industry faced severe financial pressures from lockdowns, and had been seeking a long-term relationship.
The trial continues at Reading Crown Court, with the prosecution and defence presenting their respective cases regarding the voyeurism allegation that has brought significant attention to conduct within the airline industry.
