A Gateshead man caught on camera performing sexual acts with a woman in Liverpool city centre was identified by his own girlfriend.
Joe Firby first met Kelly Cousins, 35, in a gym before going on a date with her in the Merseyside city on August 1, 2022 - where both are said to have been drinking heavily.
A video emerged on social media of the two which sparked a widespread police investigation. Firby was soon identified by his girlfriend at the time, while Cousins was ID'd by her social worker.
Read more: Gateshead man accused of Concert Square sex act says he can't afford to get to Liverpool for court
The Liverpool Echo reports that Firby, who has no previous convictions, appeared for sentencing at Sefton Magistrates Court today (January 11) after pleading guilty to outraging public decency in December. When asked by the court if he wanted to say anything in his defence, he replied: "I've got nothing to say."
The 23-year-old was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £120 court costs and a £114 surcharge. Cousins, a mum-of-four, also pleaded guilty to the offence, and was given a 10-week suspended prison sentence in November 2022.
She was also in-turn ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.
Her solicitor, Heather Toohey, told magistrates that Cousins had been subjected to incessant abuse since the videos went viral and suggested much of the commentary around the case was one-sided and driven by 'misogyny'.
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