A VERGER checking the CCTV system saw a couple engaged in a sex act in the grounds of Blackburn cathedral.

Blackburn magistrates heard the couple’s romp at 11.25am only ended when the verger announced over the tannoy system that they were being filmed.

And defence solicitor Andrew Church-Taylor accepted Marie Taylor’s x-rated behaviour was far from Christian.

“The church may well welcome sinners but perhaps not in these circumstances,” said Mr Church-Taylor.

Taylor, 37, of Kirby Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency.

She was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced after the magistrates ruled their powers of punishment were insufficient.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the verger, Alex Barnes, was checking the CCTV when he saw Taylor and a man engaged in a sexual act.

“This was going on in a public place and there were a lot of people around at that time of day,” said Miss Akhtar.

Mr Church-Taylor said Taylor had managed to beat a long-standing heroin addiction but, as often happened, had transferred to an alcohol addiction.

On the day of the incident she had been approached by a male who offered her £20 to engage in a sexual act with him.

“They went into the cathedral grounds and were in an alcove when they were first seen by the verger,” said Mr Church-Taylor.

He said that as soon as the couple knew they were being observed they fled.

“They were obviously seen by the verger and it was a time of day when the public were using the cathedral grounds,” said Mr Church-Taylor.

“This was the behaviour of a lady in drink, for payment of money that would have been used to further her addiction to alcohol.”