A British Airways pilot stands accused of secretly filming a fellow cabin crew member during a private sexual encounter and subsequently distributing the footage to another pilot, a court has been informed. The case, currently unfolding at Reading Crown Court, centres on allegations of voyeurism against former BA pilot Tim Capron.
Intimate Encounter Turns to Alleged Betrayal
According to prosecutor Jane Davies, the complainant, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, had initially connected with Capron through the popular dating application Tinder in August 2021. The pair, both employed by British Airways but previously unacquainted, arranged their first physical meeting on September 6th of that year, visiting a public house near Capron's residence before proceeding to his home.
Second Date and the Introduction of a Blindfold
The court heard that four days following their initial encounter, the complainant returned to Capron's property. Prior to her arrival, Capron had been exchanging messages with his friend, Steven Farnworth, another pilot with whom he had trained. Capron reportedly informed the complainant about this communication, mentioning Farnworth as an old acquaintance from his pilot training days.
During subsequent intimate activity, Capron requested that the woman wear a blindfold. It was at this moment, prosecutors allege, that the clandestine recording took place. The complainant, though visually impaired by the blindfold, reportedly heard a noise resembling a mobile phone being placed on a wooden surface. When the blindfold shifted slightly, she observed a blue light emanating from Capron's device, which was positioned on a bedside table.
Discovery and Immediate Confrontation
Upon glancing at the phone's screen, the woman allegedly noticed that two video files had been dispatched via the WhatsApp messaging platform. Furious at the potential violation of her privacy, she immediately removed the blindfold and confronted Capron about the recordings. She explicitly stated that she had not consented to any filming during their private act.
Ms Davies informed the jury that Capron's explanation centred on his friend Steve inquiring about his activities. The defendant reportedly apologised and agreed to delete the videos, allegedly stating, 'I'm glad you caught me because I should not have done it.'
Aftermath and Police Investigation
Following the incident, the complainant remained at the property for a short period, during which a pizza they had ordered arrived. She later departed after Capron attempted to initiate further intimacy, which she declined. On her journey home, she contacted a friend, expressing that she felt 'upset and shaken by the incident and did not know what to do.'
In subsequent communications, the woman requested evidence that the videos had been erased. Capron responded by sending a screenshot of his phone's photo application. The matter was escalated to authorities, leading to Capron's arrest on September 28, 2021. He was interviewed at Loddon Valley police station, initially providing a no-comment response. Further interviews took place in March 2022, November 2022, and January 2023.
Legal Proceedings and Core Question
Tim Capron, of Taplow in Maidenhead, Berkshire, denies a single charge of voyeurism. The central issue for the jury to determine is whether Capron was aware that the complainant did not consent to the recording. Prosecutor Jane Davies urged jurors to consider why Capron had the complainant wear a blindfold and why he waited until she was blindfolded to retrieve his mobile phone and begin recording.
'Why, members of the jury, did the defendant choose to do it secretly without mentioning it, without asking, without checking whether she wanted or minded being recorded during that private act?' Ms Davies posed to the court. The trial continues as the legal process examines these serious allegations within the aviation community.
