Rebecca Williams, 44, and boyfriend, Michael Burns, 50, outraged families when they were spotted ‘having sex behind a tree’
Rebecca Williams, 44, and Michael Burns, 50, outside court(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) LTD)
A couple who sparked outrage after engaging in sexual activity in front of families at a popular historic park have avoided an immediate jail term, thanking the judge as he spared them a prison sentence.
Rebecca Williams, 44, and her partner Michael Burns, 50, were seen having sex beside a tree in Chester’s Grosvenor Park during a busy Bank Holiday afternoon, as parents and grandparents tried to enjoy a day out with kids.
Witnesses shouted at the pair to stop, calling them “disgusting” and telling them to “pull your pants up. There are children here!” But, the shameless couple reportedly laughed and returned to a nearby bench where they had earlier been seen ‘kissing passionately’.
Rebecca Williams and Michael Burns had sex in broad daylight in front of groups of families during a day out at Grosvenor Park in Chester(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) LTD)
When officers arrived at the Grade II-listed Grosvenor Park, Williams immediately turned on her partner, telling him, “Mike, this is your fault,” before protesting to police, “You’re just mean, I did not want to do stuff like that. I am not that type of person.”
Burns, by contrast, offered no resistance, blurting out “Oh, for f*** sake. Fair enough. Do not bother with an interview. I am guilty,” when arrested. Both had been drinking heavily beforehand, the court heard.
At Chester magistrates’ court, Williams, of Gabriel Close, Wrexham, and Burns, of Chester Road, Wrexham, faced up to six months in custody after being convicted of outraging public decency.
But the pair, from North Wales, thanked District Judge Jack McGarva after he decided on 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, along with £300 in costs and a £154 surcharge each. Burns must also complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google search by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source.
”You have been found guilty of quite appalling behaviour in Grosvenor Park when there were lots of families and people around,” the judge said in sentencing.
”I am quite certain this behaviour has come about due to you being off your head on drink. People should not have to put up with witnessing this kind of behaviour.”
The incident took place on April 19 last year as the pair wandered through the 20‑acre Grosvenor Park, a Victorian green space gifted to the city by the 2nd Marquis of Westminster, Richard Grosvenor. The park, known for its ornamental gardens, medieval arches and timber‑framed lodge, was busy with families enjoying the spring weather.
Sophie Williams, 38, a mother visiting with her family, told an earlier hearing: “I saw them sitting on a bench when we walked into the park. They were passionately kissing, and there were quite a lot of other people looking at them – I noticed she had quite a bright cardigan whilst he had a rainbow jacket.
”He went to a nearby tree, I assumed to have a wee – but she then followed. We then started playing football before my sister said: ‘They are having sex now.’ I turned around to see him with his pants down to his ankles with all his bits hanging out.
“I was in disbelief. It was busy, it was a bank holiday and there were a lot of children around. Other parents began scooping up their children and walking away when they saw what was happening. Everyone scattered.”
Families were left “in disbelief” at their actions(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) LTD)
Kathleen Evans, a 32-year-old mother of two, had also been on a day out with her family to celebrate her mother’s 70th birthday, describing: “My husband said, ‘That man has got his trousers down.’ And I looked over, and his trousers and underwear were all around his ankles – and I could see his bottom. I heard a lady shout at them and point – everyone’s attention was drawn to it.
“I also saw a female crouched down in front of the gentleman. Her face, head, was at waist height. Then when he turned around, I saw all of him from the front, and then she quickly jumped up. I could see her head was very close to his private parts.
“I was quite far away – but I could infer from her head movement as to what had just happened. Her head was touching, as close as it could be to his genital area. There was not much room in between her and him.
“Afterwards they were laughing, probably a bit embarrassed. They walked back to the bench and he was really slowly pulling up his bottoms facing everybody. I was quite upset. I had two little kids and we were all staring.”
In a police patrol car, Williams, herself a mother of one, initially refused to give her name but then broke down, and on body-worn footage was heard pleading: ”It’s all to do with him, nothing to do with me. Please let me go. Please. It’s so unfair. I’ve done nothing wrong. What have I done wrong? ”
Prosecutor Umer Zeb said: ”Officers received a report of a male in Grosvenor Park with his pants down and his penis out. He had been kissing on a bench with a female. The reporting person states that multiple families were in the park.”
Earlier in her evidence, Williams, who denied wrongdoing, said: “Mike went into the bushes because he was bursting for a wee, and I went to see if he was okay because he had an injury. I only helped him pull his pants up because of his hand and eye coordination.
”I may have pecked him on the cheek earlier – but I am allowed to do that. He is my boyfriend. ”
Burns denied having sex and said: “I had to have a wee and she came into the bushes to help as I could not fasten my trousers.”