A couple who were caught having sex on a park bench have appeared in court. Katy McKay, 42, and Kelvin Murray, 43, became amorous during a late night stroll in Queens Park after an evening out, Warrington Magistrates' Court heard.
A passer-by spotted them having sex on a park bench with their genitals exposed and reported the incident to police. Officers attended and found McKay naked from the waist down. The incident happened at around 11pm on July 26.
Police attend the scene
The court heard how McKay "hurriedly" pulled up her trousers as police approached. When quizzed, the "red-faced" pair apologised and promised they would "not be doing it again". They claimed it was so dark they did not realise they would be seen.
Teri O'Brien, prosecuting, said: "Police were made aware of a report of a male and female seen to be having sex in Queens Park. En route the officers received a further report from the reporting person, that the genitals of both the male and female could be seen."
The incident was also captured by local authority CCTV. On arrival, PC Rimmer and PC Ballantyne approached the defendants. O'Brien added: "Miss McKay was exposing her genitals. As the officers approached she pulled her trousers up. Outraging public decency is a common law offence, the starting point for sentencing is a fine with a range of up to six months custody."
Mitigation and sentence
In mitigation, defence solicitor Mark Lever said: "I accept this is a reckless act in a busy public area - but it was 11pm. Maybe they thought that because it was dark their actions may not have been observed by members of the public. It was late for that area. They are both very sorry. They apologise to the court for their behaviour."
McKay, of Museum Street, Warrington, and Murray, of Manchester Road, Warrington, both admitted outraging public decency. Both were fined £320 with £213 in costs and a surcharge.
Sentencing the pair, JP Dr Gwyneth Edwards said: "You have pleaded guilty to this offence - but you could hardly not. It was a very reckless act and it was in public." It is understood the couple have since split up.
