Bus driver who grabbed colleague by the genitals is sentenced

A transgender bus driver, found guilty of sexually assaulting a colleague has been handed a two year community order.

Louise Emma Croft, of Rowen near Conwy, must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid community works and pay £735 costs.

The 60-year-old accepted she had grabbed her victim by the genitals and made an inappropriate comment – but denied it amounted to a sexual assault.

But she was found guilty by magistrates at a trial earlier this month and sentence was adjourned for reports.

Sentencing, bench chairman Meira Currie said the magistrates had listened to what was said in court and had read the report prepared by a probation officer.

During the next two years Croft must carry out a rehabilitation activity requirement as directed by the Probation Service.

Outlining the facts of the case prosecutor Sarah Marsh said the man had not consented to being touched and Croft had not reasonably believed he was consenting.

Defence solicitor Tudor Owen pointed out Croft had not challenged the veracity of the complainant’s evidence and accepted her actions may have caused him pain.

“She would have been prepared to admit to a charge of assault, but has always denied it was a sexual assault,” he said.

Mr Owen said the case had been a “traumatic experience” for Croft. He noted the circumstances were outlined in the pre-sentence report and did not comment further.

He urged the bench to accept the recommendations of the report and if that were not possible to suspend any prison sentence.

“It was a one-off incident, there was no element of grooming and it was in front of everyone in the room at that time,” he said.

At the earlier hearing the magistrates heard Croft had worked for bus firm Arriva for nearly three years but had since been sacked.

Croft had told the court she had started transitioning in 2006 and completed the process while she worked as a driver for the now defunct Padarn Bus company.