A COUPLE who indulged in open air sex outside a church within hours of meeting were today advised to "grow up" by a crown court judge.

Passing members of the public complained to police on seeing Louise Lincoln and Kristian Osbaldestin taking part in their semi-naked romp, on the steps of North Road Methodist Church, near Durham bus station, at 10pm on October 17.

The pair were arrested and Durham Crown Court was told that Lincoln has subsequently spent two months behind bars.

David Crook, prosecuting, said she was re-arrested on a warrant issued when she failed to turn up for a previous magistrates' court hearing.

Mr Crook said when police went to arrest her on the warrant she assaulted one of the officers.

Lincoln, 25, of Musgrave Gardens, Gilesgate, Durham, and 27-year-old Osbaldestin, formerly of Moor Crescent, Gilesgate, but now of Cyril Street, Consett, each admitted outraging public decency.

Before defence barristers Yvonne Taylor and Paul Currer had chance to mitigate, Judge Christopher Prince addressed the defendants, saying he had already decided on the appropriate sentence.

He told them: "What you did was quite disgusting, it was 10pm at night and children and young people could have been around as well as adults.

"When you were questioned by police you both displayed some levity.

"This is not a matter for levity, the pair of you should be ashamed of yourselves, even if you were not."

Judge Prince said Lincoln has already been punished, having spent time in prison, while he said Osbaldestin, "might consider himself fortunate not to be going to the same place."

He added: "The pair of you need to grow up."

The judge imposed an 18-month community order on Lincoln.

Osbaldestin was ordered to perform 280 hours' community work and undergo six months' probation supervision.