A British Airways pilot has been cleared of voyeurism charges after sharing a video of himself spanking a blindfolded flight attendant with another pilot from the airline.

Tim Capron, age 38, captured a photograph and two videos of a sexual encounter with a blindfolded cabin crew member, whom he had met through the dating app Tinder.

Capron then sent the explicit material to Steven Farnworth, another BA pilot with whom he frequently engaged in threesomes and referred to as a “sexual partner.”

In response to receiving the messages, Farnworth replied with the phrase “fan dabby dozey.”

Prosecutors argued that Capron was aware the woman did not consent to being recorded during their encounter.

They further claimed that Capron and Farnworth’s actions amounted to a “virtual threesome,” suggesting that Capron was attempting to involve the woman without her knowledge.

Today, the jury at Reading Crown Court acquitted Capron of one count of voyeurism having spent five hours deliberating.  

It brings to a close a case concerning an incident from a day in September 2021, when the complainant came to visit Capron at his home in Maidenhead, Berks.

Tim Capron, 38, took a photograph and two videos of himself having sex with a blindfolded member of BA’s cabin crew – who he met through the dating app Tinder. He then passed on the explicit content to another BA pilot, Steven Farnworth

Capron graduated with an MA in biology from Christchurch college before joining BA as a graduate in 2009 aged 22 (Stock photo)

Giving evidence during his trial on Tuesday, Capron – who remains a qualified pilot and said his last take off and landing was in November last year – had stated he believed the complainant would have consented to being filmed.

He pointed out they had discussed ‘whips, restraints and dominance’ in messages before they met for sex.

Capron believed the complainant would enjoy the ‘positive affirmation’ of seeing the response from Mr Farnworth – who texted back ‘Fan dabby dozey’ to seeing the image of the complainant during sex via WhatsApp – he told jurors.

Capron said during his evidence: ‘I thought from what we had discussed together, I thought this behaviour would be OK, I thought she would be fine with this, I thought she would enjoy it. I have to live with that mistake for the rest of my life and I have done for the last four-and-a-half years.’

Jenni Dempster KC, defending, warned jurors the crown court was ‘not a court of morals’ and said the issue was solely about whether Capron actually knew the complainant was not consenting.

‘There is a world of difference between making a gross error of judgment and being a sex offender and crossing that line into criminality,’ Ms Dempster said.

Capron was arrested by police on September 28, 2021, which sparked an investigation which uncovered he had extreme pornography on his mobile phone. Capron was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge by magistrates over the image.

He first appeared before Reading magistrates in August 2023 charged with voyeurism and his first trial took place at Reading Crown Court in July 2024.

Reading Crown Court where Capron was acquitted of voyeurism by jurors today (file image)

Capron confirmed he had graduated through Christ Church College in Oxford with an MA in biological science. In 2016 he became a pilot at BA.

During his first trial he revealed he had disclosed the proceedings against him to BA, which had initially given him a back office role and allowed him to continue training on a simulator, but then by December 12, 2023 he was suspended on full pay.

Ms Dempster said Capron had ‘hid nothing’ from his employer, stating the airline had learned Capron was facing the voyeurism allegation and that he had been convicted of possessing extreme adult pornography.

‘He has been upfront and kept them informed at every stage once it became clear this was going to be a serious matter’, Ms Dempster said.

Capron ‘gives them monthly updates’, the barrister added. ‘He has told them, as he has told you, everything’.

After a trial which lasted for six days, jurors were unable to reach a decision and were discharged on July 22 2024.

Capron revealed he was no longer friends with Mr Farnworth by mutual agreement as the case progressed against him.

‘Steve and I would enjoy having sex together with another female with us’, he said.

‘I told Steve about it and said what had happened. He was training for the Marines at the time, he was away a lot of the time. I said this is getting serious now. It is just awkward.’

The Crown Prosecution Service decided to seek a re-trial, which faced further delays until it finally came back to court 18 months later, on Monday this week.

Capron’s lawyer had been contacted for comment.