A mother-of-two who was caught by CCTV having sex with a man in the street after a drunken night out has been fined £120.
Nicola Ellis, 37, was arrested after she was spotted engaging in sexual acts with her male companion as motorists drove past them at 1am.
The randy pair were followed by CCTV operators in Chester city centre as they made their way along Bath Street – which is known for its Victorian public baths and cottages designed by the favourite architect of the Duke of Westminster’s family.
Police were alerted when Ellis was seen to give the man a sexual act following which he ‘reciprocated’.
Later when quizzed Ellis – from Moreton in Wirral, Merseyside – was said to be ‘absolutely humiliated’ at being caught.
At Wirral magistrates court, Ellis – who insisted on being called ‘Mrs Ellis’ during the hearing – admitted outraging public decency.
The incident occurred on February 29 2024 which is also known as Bachelor’s Day or Ladies’ Privilege, an ancient Irish tradition by which women are allowed to propose to men on Leap Year.
Ellis and Daryl Hayes, 34, had been on a night out together in Chester when they decided to get amorous whilst under the influence of alcohol.
Angela Blackmore, prosecuting, said: ‘At 12.50am, local authority CCTV followed the defendant and her co-accused, a male, through Chester city centre. They finally stopped at Bath Street and engaged in a number of sexual acts.
‘Police arrived a short time later when the two were identified.
‘Members of the public will have been reasonably able to see the incident.’
Ellis, who appeared unrepresented and upset, said: ‘I am absolutely humiliated and sorry.’ Ellis told the court that she is on benefits, claiming child benefit and tax credit.
Sentencing JP Peter Bingham told her: ‘Obviously there is a concern about the nature of this offence, the seriousness of it in that respect, in a public place. We are also aware of your remorse and your history, your lack of offending.
‘It does seem efforts were made by the authorities to offer an out of court disposal but they didn’t quite work out for you. We have read a probation report and we are going to go along with it.
Bath Street is known for its Grade II buildings which were designed by John Douglas whose work was often commissioned by the Grosvenor family for buildings on the Eaton Hall estate.
Ellis was also ordered to complete a 12 month community order, 25 days of rehabilitation activity and made to pay £199 in costs and victim surcharge.
She had previously been offered a place on a ‘remedy course’ as an out-of-court disposal but she failed to turn up so she was charged.
Ms Blackmore said: ‘She had been offered an out-of-court disposal, a remedy course, in relation to her offending but the course provider said she failed to comply.
‘She was made aware of the consequences but still failed to do so. Therefore there was no alternative to proceed before the court.
‘As far as the case is concerned, a guilty plea was entered in relation to the matter. The maximum sentence is six months imprisonment in the magistrates court. The co-accused in relation to the offence is currently wanted on warrant.’
Hayes was also charged with outraging decency but failed to turn up at court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.