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A couple who admitted having oral sex in a McDonalds’s drive-thru “turned themselves and their car into a human zoo,” a judge has said.

Lisa Victoria Gray, 28, of Pentrechwyth Road, Bonymaen, Swansea, and Rhys Higgins, 24, of Ravenhill, Swansea, “abandoned every shred of decency and respect they had” a judge has said.

They were caught at the McDonald’s in Foundry Road, Morriston, Swansea, in the early hours of May 6 this year, said Judge Paul Thomas QC at Swansea Crown Court.

'Animalistic lust'

He said their “animalistic lust” led them to commit the offence.

On Friday, Judge Thomas gave shame-faced Gray and Higgins four-month jail sentences suspended for a year after they both pleaded guilty to a joint charge of outraging public decency.

Craig Jones, prosecuting, said: “At 4.30am on May 6 this year Gray was driving a yellow Fiat car and Higgins was the front seat passenger.

“She pulled into the McDonald’s drive-thru and placed an order for a meal via the speaker system and proceeded to a delivery window.

“It was clear to the staff both Gray and Higgins were under the influence of drink at this time.

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“Staff were concerned at the level of intoxication and the police were called. The defendants were told there was a delay with their meal because of a problem with the grill and Gray began shouting and sounding her horn.

“At this time the defendants began to embrace and kiss and Gray placed her hand into the lap of the co-defendant and proceeded, with the encouragement of Higgins, to peform an act of oral sex on him.”

CCTV played in court

The prosecutor said afterwards Gray lay outstretched with her legs sticking out of the vehicle while Higgins “digitally penetrated” her. The acts took place just a few feet away from staff and the occupants of another car which had pulled up behind them in a queue.

What happened was caught on CCTV at the McDonald’s restaurant and the footage was played to Judge Thomas in a closed court. The footage lasted for around 20 minutes.

Interviewed by police after being arrested in the car park, Gray initially told police she had spilled pound coins on the floor of the car and that she had been looking for the coins, not having oral sex.

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Higgins made no comment. They both later made admissions.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Thomas told them: “Your animalistic lust led the two of you to abandon any shred of decency and self respect.

“You turned yourselves and your car into a human zoo.

“The disgust and embarrassment the staff who would only have been feet away felt could only be imagined.

“This was not a spur of the moment incident quickly forgotten, it went for around 20 minutes. You are both in your mid to late twenties and by now should have grown up.”

Embarrassment, public ridicule and disgust

He told Gray: “Because of the publicity surrounding this case you will no doubt be subject to embarrassment and public ridicule and disgust. That will be a consequence for you.”

Prosecutor Mr Jones said Gray was not found to be over the legal limit for driving when breath tested by police though she had been drinking.

John Hipkin, defending, said: “She can’t think why she performed or go involved in such an act as this.”

David Singh, for Higgins added: “He realises just how inappropriate and appalling his actions were. He was intoxicated at the time.”

The court heard Higgins was recalled to prison for a statutory 28 days after his arrest following a previous conviction for possessing cocaine.