A man who was caught red-handed performing sex acts with another woman on camera at a Liverpool nightspot was identified by his own girlfriend. The partner of Joe Firby watched as a video of her own partner was shared widely across social media, showing the 23-year-old engaging in sexual activity with Kelly Cousins, 35.
Police had issued an appeal to track down the offenders after the footage had been uploaded to Instagram and Facebook. The clip showed the pair's steamy interactions with one another at Liverpool's Concert Square, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Firby and Cousins had met in the gym and gone on a date together on August 1 last year in Liverpool city centre, where they both consumed a lot of alcohol. The 23-year-old, from Gateshead, was later identified by his own partner, while Cousins was recognised by her social worker.
Firby, who has no previous convictions, appeared at Sefton Magistrates Court on January 11 for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to outraging public decency in December. When asked by the court if he had anything he'd like to say in his defence, he replied: "I've got nothing to say."
The unfaithful defendant was sentenced to a 12-month community order as well as being ordered to carry out £120 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay out £120 to cover court costs and a £114 surcharge.
Cousins, a mum-of-four with no fixed address, also pleaded guilty to the offence and was handed a 10-week suspended prison sentence in November 2022. She was also given 40 hours of unpaid work which she must complete and 25 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.
Her solicitor, Heather Toohey, told magistrates that Cousins had been the victim of constant abuse since the video went viral and suggested a lot of the commentary surrounding the case was one-sided and misogynistic. Ms Toohey added that her client had been drinking at the time of the incident and expressed 'deep regret' for her actions.
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