Driving instructor is put on sex register for patting girl's thigh

George Borthwick, 60, congratulated the 17-year-old on completing a manoeuvre by touching her on the leg. Later in the lesson, he also put his hand on her thigh.

Allegations that he repeatedly rubbed her breast and also made remarks of a sexually explicit and inappropriate nature were dropped. However, Borthwick's name was still placed on the sex offender's register at Jedburgh Sheriff Court yesterday after he pled guilty to a charge of assaulting the teenager in three streets in Hawick, Roxburghshire, on 25 August.

His lawyer, Ross Dow, argued that while there was a sexual element to the offence, it was not a significant one and he should not be registered.

But Sheriff James Farrell said Borthwick had admitted touching the girl and while the sexual encounter was "fairly minor", he took into account Borthwick's age and the instructor/pupil relationship. He deferred sentence until 26 March for background reports and ordered Borthwick's name be placed on the sex offender's register on an interim basis.

Mark Keane, prosecuting, described how the girl had been picked up for her driving lesson about 1pm. He said: "They were in the Stirches area of Hawick and she carried out some manoeuvre. On successfully completing this, he placed his right hand on her leg and then patted her leg and thigh.

"She was shocked at what had happened and wanted to get out of the car and walk away.

"They then drove to the Burnfoot area of Hawick and again he placed his hand on her leg. She did not know what to do. She was scared and thought she was going to crash the car."

He added that Borthwick told the pupil not to tell anyone what had happened and she replied "yes". However, the victim told a friend the following day and the police were informed.

Mr Keane said that Borthwick was interviewed and admitted to officers he touched leg "to see how far she would go".

Mr Dow added: "He then realised that conduct was not welcomed and he stopped and apologised." He conceded that his client had acted "inappropriately" and "unprofessionally" and had "overstepped the mark", but claimed there was not a significant sexual element to the offence.

Borthwick – who runs his own driving school in his home town of Hawick – had been due to stand trial yesterday on two charges of assault and making remarks of a sexually explicit and inappropriate nature.

But just before the trial was due to go-ahead, he changed his plea to guilty to a reduced charge of repeatedly patting her on the thigh and leg.