Instructor guilty of girl assault

Line dancing is a craze that began in the United States

A dance class instructor from north Wales has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenager after sending her a Valentine's day card in a "moment of madness".

At a hearing at Chester Crown Court, David Middleton, 63, was of convicted of five counts of indecent assault between September 2000 and April 2001.

Young people must be protected from those who cannot control their emotions

Judge Roger Dutton

The court was told how Middleton, from Kingston Drive, Connah's Quay, had assaulted the girl when she was 14 during line dance classes in Flintshire.

Middleton had denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury after four hours of deliberations.

Judge Roger Dutton said: "He must understand that anyone in his position who indecently assaults a young vulnerable person in the way he has is going to lose his liberty.

"He must be under no illusion as to what is going to happen to him.

'Unhealthy interest'

"Young people must be protected from those who cannot control their emotions."

Earlier in the hearing the court was told how the defendant admitted sending the teenager a Valentine's Day card.

However, Middleton had denied his interest in the girl was unhealthy, claming he had sent the card in a "moment of madness".

Middleton was bailed and is due to be sentenced on Friday 17 May.

Judge Dutton said: "You are now a sex offender under the terms of the Sex Offenders' Act."

He added: "Of course the consequences, as we all know, for Mr Middleton are bound to be serious, but what he did is serious."