A driving instructor who looked like a “kind old man” allegedly used his “position of power” to indecently assault five of his students over the course of seven years, a court has heard.
Key points:
- The court learned that five driving students were assaulted for seven years
- Kenneth Campbell, 64, pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of aggravated stink assault
- The court learned that it acted in an “opportunistic” manner against the alleged victims between 2013 and 2020
Kenneth Campbell, 64, has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of aggravated stink assault, and the alleged crime occurred between 2013 and 2020.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard that Campbell had touched his legs, upper thighs or breasts, and during an incident, the genital area, of his alleged victims, during driving lessons or while parked. at home.
Two of the complainants were high school students at the time of the crime.
The court learned that these two victims were the first to report separate incidents to police, which led to the arrest of Mr Campbell in June 2020.
Kenneth Campbell, 64, pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of aggravated stinking assault. (ABC NEWS)
He heard three more women, unknown to each other, who later showed up at different times after seeing media coverage about the arrest of an “eastern suburban driving instructor.”
Prosecutors told the court today that Campbell acted “opportunistically” against the alleged victims, making “sexual” and “inappropriate” comments alongside physical touches.
He heard that Mr. Campbell had touched several of the alleged victims to “congratulate” them for having properly done a driving maneuver.
The court heard Campbell tell investigating officers that any contact with students had been “accidental” or “never occurred.”
He heard that the instructor described himself as a “tactile” person, but denied having acted sexually inappropriately.
The trial is expected to continue for several days, with evidence on the alleged victims and others.