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A randy couple performed sex acts on each other in front of disgusted families on a packed train while on their first date.

Gavin Maguire, 40, of Chigwell, Essex, and Allison Jennings, 39, of Chelmsford, Essex, were on a train between London Liverpool Street and Clacton-on-Sea when they became overly amorous.

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard during the 30-minute journey, the couple were seen openly performing sex acts on each other before they got off at Chelmsford on June 7.

The amorous couple were reported by several outraged families and well as other members of the public who were forced to move out of the carriage.

The pair were captured on CCTV while getting off the train and British Transport released an appeal for information on the pair.

(Image: Rex)

Kathy Wilson, prosecuting, said a woman travelling alone on the train was the first to notice the pair, who were "acting in a wholly inappropriate sexual manner".

She added: "The female was leaning against the man's chest and the man had his hands over the woman's dress rubbing her vagina area.

"She commented that the female seemed to be enjoying what was going on."

Before the train left the platform, another passenger got on and sat near to the couple, not knowing what they had been up to.

Another woman also sat near the pair and reported to police that she could see Jennings had her dress "hitched up around her waist."

(Image: PA)

Mrs Wilson added Jennings then began "making loud noises" as the sordid behaviour continued.

At that point, the man who was sitting near to the couple got up and told then "I have seen enough" before walking off.

A family with children aged between eight and 11 then boarded the train at Stratford.

Two of the children took their seats near to the couple, but when the train moved off, their mum realised what was going on and took the children to a different carriage.

When the train eventually stopped at Chelmsford station, Mrs Wilson said Jennings and Maguire got off "as if nothing had happened".

When interviewed by police, Maguire told police he had met Jennings earlier that day and the pair had drank a lot of alcohol.

He said he was aware of other passengers on the train but could not remember anyone who said they had "had enough".

He denied any sexual intercourse took place.

David Barbone, mitigating for Maguire, said his client is "horrified" by his actions and "unreservedly apologises".

He added: "He is extremely ashamed of himself."

Mr Barbone said Maguire had drank a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach during a "convivial" day out.

He also said: "It is fair for me to say that the British Transport officers recognised that the matter could perhaps be dealt with back way of caution rather than court proceedings, but the Crown Prosecution sees it differently."

Sentencing Maguire, chair of the bench Walter Hall said: "The bottom line is that this is totally disgraceful behaviour and is aggravated by the fact that it took place on a public train in front of parents and children.

"You had been drinking too much."

He added: "At the end of the day, we have a duty to those who were frankly disgusted by your behaviour."

Maguire admitted one charge of outraging public decency and was told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He must also pay a £180 fine and £80 court costs.

At an earlier hearing, insurance worker Jennings admitted the same charge.

She was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Maguire, of Chigwell, Essex, appeared at the same court today and admitted the charge.

He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He must also pay an £180 fine, £80 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

In the days after the pair's fling, a widespread appeal was launched through the media and they subsequently handed themselves in and were interviewed under caution on Wednesday, July 29.

It is understood they were initially offered a caution by police, but CPS lawyers insisted on a prosecution and the pair were charged with outraging public decency.

When news of their love affair broke, Jennings, a national sales manager at Euler Hermes, resigned her position which she had worked at since 2003.

A spokesman for the company said: "As the employee has resigned and the matter is subject to a police investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further.

"Our company code of conduct requires that every employee operates to the highest standards of professional and personal integrity."