Couple aged 47 and 36 had sex at cinema screening of Batman v Superman because 'they didn't have anywhere to spend time together' 

  • Anne Abberley, 47, Leam Thornborough, 36, had sex during matinee film
  • Audience watching Batman V Superman spotted her performing oral sex
  • When usher asked them to leave Leam became angry, 'flicked' her in face
  • Couple each admitted a charge of outraging public decency namely by engaging in sexual activity in a public place and were ordered to pay costs

By Keiligh Baker for MailOnline

Published: 16:04 EST, 7 June 2016 | Updated: 18:56 EST, 7 June 2016

Mother-of-two Anne Abberley, 47 and her toyboy lover Leam Thornborough, 36, were arrested after she was spotted performing oral sex on him in the third row of the Odeon cinema in Manchester

Mother-of-two Anne Abberley, 47 and her toyboy lover Leam Thornborough, 36, were arrested after she was spotted performing oral sex on him in the third row of the Odeon cinema in Manchester

A couple who had sex in a cinema while watching a matinee showing of the Batman v Superman film avoided jail today after claiming they did not have anywhere to spend time together.

Mother-of-two Anne Abberley, 47 and her toyboy lover Leam Thornborough, 36, were arrested after she was spotted performing oral sex on him in the third row of the Odeon cinema at Manchester's Printworks complex.

Shocked staff alerted by people in the audience after they noticed Abberley's head 'bobbing up and down' before she and Thornborough began having intercourse with each other.

Usher Georgia Pritchard interrupted the pair and asked them to leave but was 'flicked' in the face by Thornborough after he flew into a rage.

Police were called to the complex and the lovers were detained for 24 hours before being charged the next day.

At Manchester Magistrates' court, Abberley, from Longsight and Thornborough, of Harphurhey looked shamefaced as they were branded a 'disgrace' after they admitted outraging public decency namely by engaging in sexual activity in a public place. 

The court heard the incident occurred on May 19 as the 4.40pm showing of the 12A certificate superhero film which stars Ben Affleck as Batman and Brit Henry Cavill as Superman.

Prosecuting Robin Lynch said: 'The defendants were sat on the third row and they appeared to be engaging in sexual activity. 

'CCTV images had had captured Miss Abberley's head which appeared to be moving up and down. 

'They defendants appeared not to have noticed the staff member, but at that stage she described than as having sexual intercourse.

'The male became argumentative as she asked them to leave the cinema, stating that he wasn't going to leave. 

'At this point he reached up and flicked the host in the face. Both had to be removed by security from the cinema and police were contacted.'

Shocked staff were alerted by people in the audience after they noticed Abberley's head 'bobbing up and down' before she and Thornborough began having intercourse with each other
Shocked staff were alerted by people in the audience after they noticed Abberley's head 'bobbing up and down' before she and Thornborough began having intercourse with each other

Shocked staff were alerted by people in the audience after they noticed Abberley's head 'bobbing up and down' before she and Thornborough began having intercourse with each other

Miss Pritchard was not injured in the incident. In mitigation defence lawyer Margaret McCormack said although the couple were in a relationship, they did 'not have anywhere where they could spend time together.'

She added: 'Both had to gone to the cinema for an afternoon screening. They started kissing, things progressed and this offence was committed.'

'Someone had spotted there was something going on, so an employee come up from behind and interrupted the couple. '

'Mr Thornborough turned round and flicked the lady in the face. He then spent the rest of that day in the police station and considerably much of the next day too. 

'They are traumatised by their actions and also the public humiliation arising out of this case. '

Passing sentence JP Phillip Kersaw told the couple: 'Your actions were disgraceful. This is a public place and its fortunate that there weren't that many people in the cinema and there were no children present.

'People do not go to work to be insulted. They go to work to earn a living.'

Abberley was conditionally discharged for 12 months and was ordered to pay costs and surcharges of £105 which will be taken from her benefits.

Thornborough who also admitted common assault was also conditionally discharged for a year, ordered to pay Miss Pritchard £100 compensation plus £105 in costs and surcharges,

At the time of the incident Greater Manchester Police posted a tweet saying: 'Man of Steel? Couple arrested outraging decency after getting over-excited at Batman vs Superman film.' 

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