Innes Miller, 33, a civil engineering student from Nottinghamshire, has been fined after engaging in a sexual act on a Ferris wheel during the Download Festival near Castle Donington in June. Miller, who was attending the three-day festival with friends, met the woman involved earlier on the Saturday. Around lunchtime, they had sex on the Ferris wheel, an act witnessed by numerous people both on the ride and on the ground below.
The incident was recorded and quickly circulated online, and Miller learned of its viral spread when his employer contacted him, remarking he was “all over the internet.” Despite this public exposure, Miller told the court he was “thoroughly ashamed and embarrassed” by his actions.
Leicestershire Police identified the pair from the shared footage and interviewed them. While the woman was apologetic and not prosecuted, Miller, who was already subject to a community order for a previous drug-driving offence, was charged with outraging public decency. He pleaded guilty at Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
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The offence came to light after a complaint from a woman who had been sharing the Ferris wheel ride with her young son, who has autism. The son reportedly noticed the couple’s actions and expressed shock. The woman described feeling mortified, stating her son’s behaviour changed following the incident. Several other festival attendees, some with children, had their attention drawn to the couple, who were reportedly engaging in sexual intercourse.
Miller’s representative, Sabeel Hussain, described the reaction of festival-goers as largely amused, with some applauding, suggesting the incident was seen by many as a “moment of madness” without malicious intent. He emphasised that Miller was under the influence of alcohol and had faced significant public scrutiny already, which he considered punishment in itself.
At the hearing, Anne Cowan, chair of the bench, acknowledged the viral nature of the incident but clarified that the court’s decision would be independent. Miller was fined £80, ordered to pay £85 in court costs, and a £32 victim surcharge.
Miller, a former truck driver now studying civil engineering at Nottingham College, must now abide by the court’s penalties in relation to the incident that has attracted considerable public attention.