Couple caught having sex in Belfast church grounds handed probation orders
'Having entered the church, the parishioners returned to remind them that this was a sacred and holy place.'
A couple caught having sex in the 'holy' grounds of a Belfast city centre church were today ordered to complete two-year probation orders.
Karol Piotr Biernacik (43) of Loopland Road in east Belfast and Adrienne Surgenor (35), of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to a single charge of committing 'a lewd, obscene and disgusting act outraging public decency'.
Belfast Crown Court heard that around 2.30pm on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, two members of the public were attending St George's Parish Church in High Street.
Prosecution lawyer Natalie Pinkerton said: "They observed the two defendants engaging in sexual intercourse beneath a blanket.
'Having entered the church, the parishioners returned to remind them that this was a sacred and holy place.
Karol Biernacik leaving Laganside court, Friday, May 23, 2025
News in 90 Seconds - May 24th 2025
'Biernacik's behaviour towards the parishioners was aggressive, while Surgenor was conciliatory.
'Police were called and the defendants continued with their outrageous behaviour until police arrived.'
Surgenor replied no comment to all police questions following her arrest but pleaded guilty on arraignment.
The court heard Biernacik made some limited admissions during his police interview and also pleaded guilty on arraignment.
Ms Pinkerton said the aggravating factors were the location of the offence being on the grounds of a church in the early part of the afternoon, the persistent nature of the offending and the level of alcohol consumed.
Surgenor has no previous convictions while her co-accused has six previous convictions and was the subject of a number of suspended sentences at the time of his offending for theft, assault and disorderly behaviour.
Defence barrister Laura Jennings said Surgenor had been on remand in Hydebank Wood women's prison since November 7, last year.
She told the court the defendant was a widow and had a long and difficult relationship with her late husband.
St George's Parish Church
Ms Jennings said: "Her lifestyle was chaotic and at the time of this offending she was homeless, she was consuming alcohol on a daily basis and had resorted to sleeping on the streets.
'Substance misuse has been a feature of her life. Since her remand into custody she has been engaging in programmes to address her issues with alcohol.
'She was subsequently granted bail but this could not be perfected as no suitable address could be found,' added Ms Jennings.
A pre-sentence report compiled by the Probation Board said Surgenor had used her time in custody constructively, obtaining enhanced status and engaging in educational and social activities.
The author of the report said the defendant had expressed remorse and repeatedly apologised for her behaviour. She is assessed as a medium likelihood of reoffending.
Defence barrister Peter Sands said Biernacik was a Polish national who had lived in Northern Ireland for around 10 years.
For over three years, he lived with his brother and worked as a kitchen porter but his bail conditions prevented him from working night shifts.
'He has no dependents and was in a relationship with his co-accused for four months. He has expressed remorse for his behaviour and attributed this to his homelessness and alcohol consumption,' Mr Sands told the court.
'During his four-month period on remand, he suffered withdrawal symptoms. He was released in late March this year after he was able to perfect his bail.
'He wants to return to the structure and stability of a working environment.'
The Probation Board also assessed him as a medium likelihood of reoffending and recommended a community-based disposal in an effort to reduce any future offending.
Judge Sandra Crawford told the defendants: "This was deplorable and repugnant behaviour which offends societal standards.''
Judge Crawford said the appropriate disposal was that advocated in the pre-sentence report of a two-year probation order 'which is to protect the public from further offending on your part'.
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