Driving instructor in his 70s who tried to grab 17-year-old pupil’s breasts during a lesson walks free from court
Wayne Dale, 70, told the teenager he would have her "over the bonnet of the car" during one driving lesson
A PERVERT driving instructor walked free from court despite groping a student during a lesson.
Wayne Dale will stay on the sex offender's registers until his 80s, after indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
The 70-year-old, who has since retired, also tried to kiss the teenager while she was driving.
A judge handed him an 18-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, despite him vowing to take his unwanted advances further when they drove around Maidstone, Kent.
Maidstone Crown Court heard he told the girl: "I will get you next time. Next time I will have you over the bonnet of the car."
Prosecutor Alec Williams said that after the lessons started, small talk between the pair became sexual, with him making comments about her breasts getting bigger.
Mr Williams said: "It is in indication of the direction of travel the relationship was going.
"It was a warning flag. She was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable.
"She was taking steps to dress down somewhat and avoid comments from him about her appearance."
Mr Williams said Dale told the girl he could give her some free lessons if she performed a sex act on him.
He said: "We have gone through amber lights in communication between the two in banter."
The prosecutor said on one occasion when the teenager was having a lesson in Maidstone Dale made a grab for her breasts while she was driving.
He said: "It was out-of-the-blue unsolicited conduct. It was an indecent assault in any language. She carried on with lessons."
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Mr Williams added that there was "a more concerted assault" at Maidstone test centre during a cigarette break.
He said: "He grabs for her breasts and attempts to kiss her.
"She turns her head away. His hands are on the top of her thighs and heading towards her groin area."
Dale then threatened he would "get her" next time.
The youngster told her mother she did not want any more lessons from Dale because he was making passes at her.
But the prosecutor said there was a "significant hiatus" before the victim complained to the police about the incidents which occurred 15 years ago.
She made an attempt to complain at the time but it was not pursued until 2013.
Dale, of Godalming, Surrey, denied there was any conduct of a sexual nature and denied two charges of indecent assault.
A jury of eight men and four women convicted him of one charge and acquitted him of the other.
Judge Julian Smith handed down an 18-month jail sentence - suspended it for 18 months - on Friday.
Dale was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, pay £750 in costs, abide by a year long supervision order and sign the sex offenders register for ten years.
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