A COUPLE arrested for a public show of passion, yesterday walked free from court.

Michelle Randall and Michael Derek Langley's open air sex show, on grass behind a bus shelter, attracted a mixture of amusement and shock, on a Monday afternoon in June.

Durham Crown Court heard that police received complaints from outraged onlookers, while others were less fazed, filming them on mobile phones.

Police arrived in Commercial Street, Brandon, near Durham, as the couple were starting to dress after their passionate clinch, but the intoxicated couple took exception to the threat of arrest.

Randall lashed out at a female officer at the scene, banging her head on the ground when CS gas was sprayed in her direction.

She was only arrested with the help of a passing bus driver, although she continued to resist, and kicked the door of a police vehicle.

Langley was also involved in a struggle with a male officer.

Randall, of George Street, Langley Park, and Langley, of Lilac Avenue, Framwellgate Moor, Durham, each pleaded guilty to charges of outraging public decency.

Randall, 25, a hotel porter and the mother of a nine-year-old son, also admitted resisting arrest and criminal damage, while Langley, 26, a jobless factory worker, admitted resisting or obstructing a police constable.

Peter Kilgour, mitigating, said: "They certainly feel their drinks had been spiked and just grabbed the moment, although Randall has no recollection."

Judge George Moorhouse described their behaviour as "appalling" and merited custodial sentences.

But he suspended a 12-month prison sentence on Randall for a year, although she must undergo 12 months probation supervision, while Langley was fined £350.