Prison for hands-on instructor
Guilty plea to sexual assault
A Gold Coast driving instructor of 10 years and former Little Athletics identity has faced jail time after sexually assaulting a female student during a driving lesson, after weeks of creepy conversations.
Richard Kent Dickson pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on March 4 to two counts of sexual assault.
The charges triggered his disgraced exit from involvement at Runaway Bay Little Athletics and Rosies Charity.
The court heard he was giving driving lessons to a 19-yearold female student and began talking about discussing inappropriate, sexual topics.
The court heard the 64-yearold Dickson talked to the student about a swingers’ club and his fetishes.
He said it was a shame she hadn’t had sex yet and he wanted her to experience it.
Dickson’s actions culminated in him pulling over during a lesson in Steiglitz, at the northern regions of the Gold Coast, on March 15 and masturbating.
Dickson, from Runaway Bay, then grabbed her breasts and told her to play with his testicles while also looking at her underwear.
The victim told her mother about the incident and one week later Dickson was contacted by police where he said the behaviour was consensual.
Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said the assault had a severe negative impact on her mental health.
“The victim has suffered significantly, it has affected her driving and being comfortable in a car,” she said.
“The victim was very vulnerable, she was a young woman trapped in a car with a much older man.”
The court heard Dickson had no criminal history and was a father of two.
He was born in the United Kingdom and had worked as a mechanic and panel beater before starting his driving instructor business 10 years ago.
Defence barrister Nick McGhee said Dickson was wrongfully under the impression the behaviour was consensual.
“They generally discussed topics of sex and she had made positive inquiries about sex,” he said.
“Mr Dickson was not having sex with his wife at the time and was dealing with a lot of stress in his personal life.
“He is very ashamed, very regretful of his actions and it’s important to note there was no force used and no coercion.”
Judge Craig Chowdhury said the behaviour was completely inappropriate. He sentenced Dickson to nine months prison, wholly suspended for 12 months. Dickson was also ordered to pay compensation of $10,000 to the victim.