A 59-year-old Perth driving instructor has pleaded guilty midway through his trial to repeatedly indecently assaulting female pupils during lessons, with many of his victims being schoolgirls.
Gregory John Clark had initially denied any wrongdoing by touching the females, aged between 16 and 25, on the thigh while he was teaching them to drive between 2015 and 2019.
Four of the women had already given evidence at his trial in the Perth Magistrates Court, testifying that Clark would repeatedly put his hand on their upper thigh while they were using the clutch.
One victim in school uniform during assault
All of them said they felt uncomfortable and in shock at the time, but they continued to book lessons with him because they did not want to confront him and just wanted to get their driver's licence.
One of them, who was wearing her school uniform when she was assaulted, said she "knew his intentions were sexual" but she did not say anything because he was supposed to be "a trusted adult".
Clark, who represented himself, denied his motivation was sexual, telling the court he was trying to be a "funny, laconic, entertaining guy" but it had "gone against" him.
On Tuesday, the second day of the trial, the matter was adjourned at the request of Clark, who returned to court today and entered guilty pleas to all 49 charges against him.
Those charges were laid by police in 2019, after Clark was convicted in the Fremantle Magistrates Court of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl during five lessons.
He was fined $8,000 which the magistrate ordered he pay the victim.
As a result of an ongoing investigation and publicity about that case, the other 10 females came forward and reported his actions to police.
Clark's bail was renewed until he faces a sentencing hearing in December.
