A COUPLE who appeared in court after a dog walker stumbled across them allegedly having sex have been acquitted of a charge of outraging public decency.

David Christopher Logan and Julie Raven, both from Dalton, pleaded not guilty and were tried at Furness Magistrates Court yesterday.

It was alleged that on the afternoon of May 27 last year, the pair engaged in sexual activity in How Tun Woods, Ormsgill, a popular nature spot.

The pair denied they did anything wrong, claiming they were in the woods to talk, and were only kissing when they were discovered.

The court heard Mr Logan, 43, of Broughton Road, and Miss Raven, 40, of Dale Terrace, had previously been in a relationship, and had met up on that day to talk.

Giving evidence, Miss Raven said she had been going through some issues at home, and wanted advice from her friend.

After spending time at a pub near to the woods, the pair left and walked to a clearing a short way from the path.

They sat down on Miss Raven's coat to talk, with both defendants admitting they began kissing at some stage.

Mr Andrew Travis, prosecuting, told magistrates how a witness, after entering the wood to walk her Springer Spaniel puppy, discovered Miss Raven and Mr Logan.

The witness claimed to see Mr Logan, naked from the waste down, thrusting his pelvis in a backwards and forwards motion.

Mr Andy Gallagher, defending Mr Logan, repeatedly asked his client if he engaged in sexual intercourse in the woods.

Every time, he answered with a firm "no."

Mr Logan said: "We did nothing at all, we had a crack on. We went into the woods in the shaded area to have a talk."

Police were called to the scene by the witness. They approached the defendants, who were walking away, calling several times for them to stop.

PC Joshua Jones was confronted by the defendant, and he described him as being animated and aggressive.

Footage taken from PC Jones' bodycam corroborated this version of accounts. Mr Logan repeatedly swore at the officer, and demanded he be allowed to leave.

Addressing the magistrates, Mr Logan apologised for his behaviour. The former soldier said he suffered from anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.

After returning from deliberation, presiding magistrate Mrs Alison Spurgeon-Dixon said the crown had not proved the pair were guilty of the offence.

But she told Mr Logan said: "You need to think about your behaviour towards police, and respect the dignity of court and use appropriate language."