Groping driving instructor jailed

Peter Knowles was jailed for nine months

A driving instructor who groped his young female pupils over a period of nearly 30 years has been jailed for nine months.

Peter Knowles, 67, from Rochdale, was convicted at Preston Crown Court in September of seven counts of indecent assault and two of sexual assault.

Knowles of Derwent Avenue, Milnrow, had denied the offences.

The court heard he would claim to be helping learners with their clutch control while touching them sexually.

He was said to have assaulted nine teenagers between 1977 and 2004.

He took advantage of this vulnerability and tried to cover up his despicable actions by telling the women it was perfectly normal Dc Richard Beckwith

The jury heard evidence from four of his victims, aged either 17 or 18 at the time of the attacks.

Jailing Knowles on Monday, Judge Andrew Blake said he felt he would be failing in his public duty if he did not imprison him.

Detective Constable Richard Beckwith, of Rochdale CID, said: "The women who came to him for lessons were often young and quite nervous about learning to drive.

"He took advantage of this vulnerability and tried to cover up his despicable actions by telling the women it was perfectly normal.

"I would like to pay tribute to the courage of all the women who came forward and made complaints against him."