Perth driving teacher on trial charged with indecently assaulting 10 college students throughout classes

A 59-year-old driving trainer is on trial in Perth Magistrates Courtroom for allegedly assaulting 10 feminine college students throughout class by repeatedly inserting her hand on their thighs.

Gregory John Clark is charged with 49 counts, allegedly dedicated between 2014 and 2019.

The court docket was knowledgeable all however one of many 10 complainants have been youngsters on the time, together with some who have been nonetheless at school.

Prosecutor David Robinson mentioned they have been accused of the groping being sexually motivated and never supposed to discourage or self-discipline the scholars.

It is usually completed over and over all through the teachings, and isn’t remoted to only one incident, Mr. Robinson insists.

Mr Clark is representing himself at trial, and in a gap submission denied what he had completed was of a “sexual nature”.

“Sure, I settle for that I do contact folks on occasion, normally fairly rapidly in a passing remark,” Mr Clark mentioned.

“…I attempt to be a humorous, humorous, entertaining man. Generally, in hindsight, it goes in opposition to me.”

Mr Clark additionally careworn that lots of the complainants had “realized many classes”.

“That does not inform me any of these classes have develop into an issue,” he mentioned.

“The outline of touching will not be because it was described.”

The primary witness was a 25-year-old lady who testified that she took 14 driving classes with Mr. Clark whereas at college in 2015.

The girl mentioned her mom got here to her for the primary session and “nothing inappropriate occurred”.

Nevertheless, she mentioned in all of her classes afterward, Mr. Clark repeatedly touched her higher thigh whereas she was utilizing the clutch.

College students ‘apprehensive and unsure’

“I may really feel his fingers wrapped round my thighs,” she mentioned.

“It may very well be as much as 10 to twenty seconds or [it] possibly 5 seconds or so, but it surely’s all the time the time after I launch the clutch.

“(I used to be) apprehensive and did not know what to do.”

The girl additionally testified that Mr Clark advised her they need to exit for a milkshake if she handed her apply driving take a look at.

She mentioned when that occurred, Mr. Clark requested her again as he was driving her again to high school.

“I simply thought it was a little bit bizarre. I used to be advised I had to return to high school. He requested a couple of extra instances,” she mentioned.

Textual content messages revealed

The court docket later heard particulars of a textual content message Mr Clark despatched to the lady after she handed one other computer-based driving take a look at.

Gregory Clark: Did you get [P-plates] !!!!

Complainant: Sure, I get it!

Gregory Clark: Good woman. I’ve to select you up and take you to drink milk.

The girl mentioned she didn’t reply to the final message.

Beneath Mr Clark’s cross-examination, the lady rejected his suggestion that he solely contact her when she wanted assist together with her “clutch work”, telling the court docket “No, all the time so.”

Mr. Clark additionally maintained his hand nearer to the highest of her leg and nearer to her knee than she described.

“No, it is on my higher thigh,” the lady replied.

Many ladies testify

Later, three different ladies testified of feeling “discomfort” when Mr. Clark was touched.

Two of them have been nonetheless college students after they had classes from Mr Clark, with one among them saying she “knew his intentions have been sexual”.

The now 25-year-old woman mentioned on numerous events Mr Clark put his hand on her thigh as she wore her summer time college uniform.

“I undoubtedly really feel extra uncomfortable realizing it is naked pores and skin,” she mentioned.

She mentioned she did not say something on the time as a result of she was “simply shocked”.

Beneath Mr Clark’s cross-examination, the lady mentioned she continued to e book extra classes with him after being touched that he was “a reliable grownup”.

She mentioned she did not report what occurred to the police till 2019 as a result of she wished to attempt to neglect about it.

“…That is my approach of dealing… I feel a couple of years later, I really feel extra assured speaking about this.”

One other former feminine scholar mentioned she continued to e book classes with Mr. Clark as a result of failing to take action would confront her on the age of 16.

“I am not a confrontational particular person so I wished to maintain going till I received my license,” she mentioned.

The third witness, 25 when she took the lesson, mentioned she continued her lesson as a result of she thought she may need been “a little bit too politically right”.

“I feel I misinterpreted it as one thing it wasn’t,” she mentioned.

The trial, earlier than a decide, is anticipated to final via the weekend.